Disk device holding a plurality of disks at its inner diameter

ABSTRACT

A disk device realizing reducing in size and number of parts, prevention of damage to disks, shortening operation time for plurality of operations, improved vibration resistance and less expensive manufacturing cost is provided. The disk device capable of storing a plurality of disks includes an operation setting means to actuate the disk holding means according to an operation mode of the disk, and an operation mode switching means to switch the operation mode of the operation setting means based on contents of disk operation.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a disk device and more particularly toa disk device which permits plurality of disks to be operatedselectively without using a removable magazine.

BACKGROUND ART

FIG. 172 is a sectional side view of a conventional disk device whichpermits plurality of disks to be operated selectively and FIG. 173 is asectional view of a principal portion thereof.

In FIGS. 172 and 173, the reference numeral 1 denotes a magazine inwhich disks for replacement are stored and 2 denotes a disk rotationdriving section. The disk rotation driving section 2 is made up of adisk rotating motor 3, a disk clamping hub 13 mounted on a shaft of themotor 3, a disk clamper 4, a disk roller 6 for sending out a disk 8delivered by an actuating lever 5 to the disk rotation driving section2, the actuating lever 5 being mounted within the magazine 1 and drivenby a driving means (not shown), a drive shaft 9 fixed to a housing 7which supports the disk rotation driving section 2, a swash plate cam 10which is operated in the directions of A in FIG. 172 by the drivingmeans, and upper and lower guide plates 11.

In this conventional disk device, when calling any one of plurality ofdisks stored in the magazine 1, the drive shaft 9, the swash plate cam10, and the upper and lower guide plates 11 are interlocked with oneanother, causing the disk rotation driving section 2 to move in an arrowB direction and allowing it to be located at a desired disk positionwithin the magazine 1.

In such a conventional disk device, the disks stored in the magazine 1and the disk rotating on the disk rotation driving section 2 arecompletely independent of each other in a plane area, thus it gives arise to the problem that the length, i.e., size D, of the disk deviceincreases.

In order to solve the aforementioned problem, there has been proposed,for example, such a disk device as is disclosed in Japanese Laid OpenPatent Sho 63-200354(1988). FIGS. 174 and 175 are sectional side viewsof a principal portion of this disk device and FIG. 176 is a sectionaltop view thereof.

In FIGS. 174, 175, and 176, reference numeral 19 denotes a magazine inwhich disks for replacement are stored, 21 denotes a disk rotatingmotor, 22 denotes a disk clamping hub mounted on a shaft of the motor21, and 23 denotes a disk clamper.

Reference numeral 26 denotes a disk roller for sending out a disk 25delivered by an actuating lever 24 to a disk rotation driving section,the actuating lever 24 being driven by driving means (not shown), and 27denotes a driven roller opposed to the disk roller 26.

Indicated at 32 are a pair of swash plate cams adapted to engage aplurality of trays 31 accommodated within the magazine 19 and operate onthe disk rotation driving section 20 so as to create a gap E duringplanar movement of the disk, the gap E being at least not smaller thanthe disk thickness and formed in a rotational axis direction of the disk25 selected by a magazine moving means (not shown).

The disk rotation driving section 20 is made up of a disk rotating motor21, a disk clamping hub 22, a disk clamper 23, an actuating lever 24, adisk 25, a disk roller 26, a driven roller 27, and the swash plate cam32.

The operation of this disk device will be described below.

When calling any of plurality of disks 25 stored in the magazine 19, themagazine is moved in an arrow F direction in FIG. 174 by driving meansand a desired disk position is established within the magazine.

Then, the actuating lever 24 in the magazine 19 operates, the disk 25slides on a disk guide portion 35 formed within the magazine, and afront end of the disk 25 comes into engagement between the disk roller26 and the driven roller 27 in the disk rotation driving section 20.Then, with rotational movement of the disk roller 26, the disk 25 isconveyed to the position of the disk clamper 23 and the disk clampinghub 22 mounted on the shaft of the disk rotating motor 21. Subsequently,the position where the disk 25 is to be clamped is confirmed by a diskdetecting means (not shown), and the disk clamper, as well as the diskroller 26 and the driven roller 27, are moved toward the disk clampinghub 22 by driving means, whereby the disk 25 is clamped.

Simultaneously with the movement of the driven roller 27 toward the diskclamping hub 22, the pair of swash plate cams 32 provided in the diskrotation driving section 20 are moved to the magazine 19 side by drivingmeans, causing trays 31 to tilt so that an appropriate gap E is formedas shown in FIG. 175.

A disk device (in-dash type disk device) provided in the interiorthereof with a disk storing mechanism is proposed, for example, inJapanese Laid Open Patent Hei 10-208361(1998). FIG. 177 is an entirestructure diagram of this proposed disk device and FIG. 178 is astructure diagram showing the structure of an internal principal portionof the disk device.

In FIG. 177, reference numeral 1 denotes a front panel, which isattached to a bottom plate 2. On a front side of the front panel 1 areprovided various operating units 3–6 and a display unit 7.

Reference numeral 8 denotes an outer case which covers a disk changer, 9denotes an insulator provided on the bottom plate 2, 10 denotes a maintray projected from an opening 1 a of the front panel 1, and 11 denotesa sub-tray capable of sliding in the direction of arrow P or Q whilebeing guided by the main tray 10. Onto the sub-tray 11 is fed a disk 12after replacement.

FIG. 178 shows a principal portion in the interior of the disk device.According to the structure illustrated in the same figure, a group ofspacers supported by a disk holding means are driven by a verticaldriving means, an arbitrary disk is selected out of a group of disks andis conveyed up to a recording/reproducing position by a horizontalconveyance means. Further, with a rise reset means, the disk isprevented from coming off from a spacer on both spindles. Likewise, witha disk pressing means, the disk is prevented from coming off from thespacer, and with a spacer anti-dislodgment means, the dislodgment of thespacer from a lower spindle is prevented.

In the conventional disk devices which are not the in-dash type, it isnecessary to use a magazine case and hence it is impossible to load andunload disks selectively one by one; besides, an increase in size of thedisk device results. Moreover, since a portable magazine case is used,it is technically difficult to disassemble each disk storing rack withinthe disk device, so when forming a gap between a disk to be reproducedand a disk opposed thereto and when the gap is to be made large becauseit is only one end that can be opened, there arises the necessity offorming a space within the disk device correspondingly to the size ofgap, thus leading to an increase in size of the disk device.

Further, since a portable magazine case is used, it is extremelydifficult to separate the disk storing racks from one another with eachdisk storing rack inclined within the disk device.

In the conventional in-dash type disk device, when a disk is to be heldwithin the disk device, the disk is conveyed and held with only therotational movement force of a roller serving as a disk conveying meansuntil the disk reaches a disk holding section through a disk inlet. Withthis configuration, the disk is apt to become unstable during theconveyance thereof, and at the worst the disk comes into abutmentagainst a component within the disk device and then it is damaged.

In the conventional in-dash type disk device, when a disk is to besupported, that is, when a spacer for supporting a disk is to be fixed,for example at the time of replacing a disk stored within the diskdevice or at the time of reproducing a disk, shaft portions provided atupper and lower positions of the disk device are coupled together,thereafter, pawl portions formed on an outer periphery of a disk holdingmeans adapted to slide within the shaft portions are fixedly projectedfrom holes formed in the shaft portions at predetermined positions.According to this structure, each time a disk is to be stowed orreplaced and reproduced it is necessary to let the pawl portions projectfrom the shaft portions or perform a stowing operation, thus it gives arise to problem that much time is required for the operation.

Further, in the conventional type disk device, although spacers aredisposed so that each is positioned between adjacent disks, they are notfor holding disks, so disks become unstable, and when vibration or thelike is imposed on the disk device, a disk tilts and comes into abutmentagainst another disk, resulting in damage of the disk.

Additionally, for judging the contents of disk operation in theconventional disk device, it is necessary to provide a complicatedswitch mechanism, so that the assembling performance is deteriorated andthe number of components of a link mechanism, etc. increases, thusleading to an increase of cost.

In view of the foregoing, the present invention has been made and it isan object of the invention to provide a disk device structured such thata plurality of disks are stored without using a removable magazine andeach operated independently, that is, each disk is loaded and unloadedselectively or performs operation such as a reproducing operation, tothereby attain a reduction in size.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a disk devicestructured such that a disk storing position and a disk reproducingposition are established at one and the same rotary shaft with respectto the direction of loading and unloading a disk, to thereby attain thesaving of space.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a disk devicewherein at the time of loading or unloading a disk, a part of the diskis supported by a plurality of support portions, thereby making itpossible to prevent damage of the disk.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a diskdevice capable of shortening the operation time by performing aplurality of operations at a time.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a diskdevice improved in vibration resistance and so suitable for a movingbody apt to undergo vibrations, especially an automobile.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a lessexpensive disk device sharing components.

Further, by making it possible to set a plurality of operation modes inan existing structure, there can be attained multiple functions whilereducing the number of components.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The disk device according to the present invention a disk device capableof storing a plurality of disks therein and it is characterized byincluding: a disk storing mechanism to store the plurality of disksloosely fitted and supported at its inner diameter; a disk holding meanscapable of changing its vertical position to hold outer peripheralportion of the disk located on the axis of the disk storing mechanism;an operation setting means to actuate the disk holding means accordingto an operation mode of the disk; an operation mode switching means toswitch the operation mode of the operation setting means based oncontents of disk operation. By these structure because it is possible toset a plurality of operation modes in a structure with existingcomponents, a number of components and manufacturing cost for the devicecan be reduced.

Further the operation setting means is characterized to make the diskholding means keeping in a normal height to hold the disk and performsan operation stowing the disk holding means in a first operation mode,and to make the disk holding means keeping in a higher height the normalheight to hold the disk and performs an operation stowing the diskholding means in a second operation mode. By these structure because theoperation mode of disk holding means can be reduced when a disk isstored or the contained disks are changed, the working time can beshortened.

Moreover, the operation mode switching means is characterized to switchthe operation mode set by the operation setting means from the firstoperation mode to the second operation mode when the operation settingmeans continues to set the first operation mode and the disk storingmechanism performs a stowing operation for a disk or performs a changingoperation of a stowed disk. By this structure the structure of diskdevice can be simplified because the operation mode can be easilychanged in predetermined operation modes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an entire structure diagram showing a schematic structure ofthe whole of a disk device according to a first embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is an entire structure diagram showing a schematic structure ofthe disk device shown in FIG. 1, as seen in a different direction.

FIG. 3 is a structure diagram of a principal portion of the disk deviceshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the disk device shown in FIG.3.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a principal portion of the disk device shown inFIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a side view explaining an operating state of the disk deviceshown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a side view explaining an operating state of the disk deviceshown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 8 is a side view explaining an operating state of the disk deviceshown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 9 is an operating state transition diagram explaining an operatingstate of the disk device shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 10 is a side view of a principal portion of the disk device shownin FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is an operating state transition diagram explaining an operatingstate of the disk device shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 12 is a side view of a principal portion of the disk device shownin FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is an operating state transition diagram explaining an operatingstate of the disk device shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 14 is a side view of a principal portion of the disk device shownin FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a structure diagram of a principal portion of the disk deviceshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 16 is a detailed diagram of a principal portion of the disk deviceshown in FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a detailed diagram of a principal portion of the disk deviceshown in FIG. 15.

FIG. 18 is a detailed diagram of a principal portion of the disk deviceshown in FIG. 15.

FIG. 19 is an operating state transition diagram explaining an operatingstate of the disk device shown in FIG. 15.

FIG. 20 is an operating state transition diagram explaining an operatingstate of the disk device shown in FIG. 15.

FIG. 21 is an operating state transition diagram explaining an operatingstate of the disk device shown in FIG. 15.

FIG. 22 is an operating state transition diagram explaining an operatingstate of the disk device shown in FIG. 15.

FIG. 23 is an operating state transition diagram explaining an operatingstate of the disk device shown in FIG. 15.

FIG. 24 is a detailed diagram of a principal portion of the disk deviceshown in FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 is a detailed diagram of a principal portion of the disk deviceshown in FIG. 23.

FIG. 26 is an operating state transition diagram explaining an operatingstate of the disk device shown in FIG. 15.

FIG. 27 is a detailed diagram of a principal portion of the disk deviceshown in FIG. 26.

FIG. 28 is an operating state transition diagram explaining an operatingstate of the disk device shown in FIG. 15.

FIG. 29 is a detailed diagram of a principal portion of the disk deviceshown in FIG. 28.

FIG. 30 is an operating state transition diagram explaining an operatingstate of the disk device shown in FIG. 15.

FIG. 31 is an operating state transition diagram explaining an operatingstate of the disk device shown in FIG. 15.

FIG. 32 is a structure diagram of a principal portion of the disk deviceshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 33 is an exploded perspective view of the disk device shown in FIG.32.

FIG. 34 is a detail view of a principal portion of the disk device shownin FIG. 32.

FIG. 35 is an operating state transition diagram explaining an operatingstate of the disk device shown in FIG. 32.

FIG. 36 is a detailed diagram of a principal portion of the disk deviceshown in FIG. 35.

FIG. 37 is an operating state transition diagram explaining an operatingstate of the disk device shown in FIG. 32.

FIG. 38 is an operating state transition diagram explaining an operatingstate of the disk device shown in FIG. 32.

FIG. 39 is an operating state transition diagram explaining an operatingstate of the disk device shown in FIG. 32.

FIG. 40 is an operating state transition diagram explaining an operatingstate of the disk device shown in FIG. 32.

FIG. 41 is an operating state transition diagram explaining an operatingstate of the disk device shown in FIG. 32.

FIG. 42 is a detailed diagram of a principal portion of the disk deviceshown in FIG. 41.

FIG. 43 is a detailed diagram of a principal portion of the disk deviceshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 44 is a detailed diagram of a principal portion of the disk deviceshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 45 is a detailed diagram of a principal portion of the disk deviceshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 46 is a detailed diagram of a principal portion of the disk deviceshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 47 is a structure diagram of a principal portion of the disk deviceshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 48 is an exploded perspective view of the disk device shown in FIG.47.

FIG. 49 is a detailed diagram of a principal portion of the disk deviceshown in FIG. 47.

FIG. 50 is an explanatory diagram of a principal portion of the diskdevice shown in FIG. 47.

FIG. 51 is an explanatory diagram of a principal portion of the diskdevice shown in FIG. 47.

FIG. 52 is a detailed diagram of a principal portion of the disk deviceshown in FIG. 47.

FIG. 53 is an explanatory diagram of a principal portion of the diskdevice shown in FIG. 47.

FIG. 54 is an explanatory diagram of a principal portion of the diskdevice shown in FIG. 47.

FIG. 55 is an operating state transition diagram explaining an operatingstate of the disk device shown in FIG. 47.

FIG. 56 is a detailed diagram of a principal portion of the disk deviceshown in FIG. 47.

FIG. 57 is an operating state transition diagram explaining an operatingstate of the disk device shown in FIG. 47.

FIG. 58 is an operating state transition diagram explaining an operatingstate of the disk device shown in FIG. 47.

FIG. 59 is an operating state transition diagram explaining an operatingstate of the disk device shown in FIG. 47.

FIG. 60 is a detailed diagram of a principal portion of the disk deviceshown in FIG. 59.

FIG. 61 is an operating state transition diagram explaining an operatingstate of the disk device shown in FIG. 47.

FIG. 62 is a detailed diagram of a principal portion of the disk deviceshown in FIG. 61.

FIG. 63 is an operating state transition diagram explaining an operatingstate of the disk device shown in FIG. 47.

FIG. 64 is a detailed diagram of a principal portion of the disk deviceshown in FIG. 63.

FIG. 65 is a detailed diagram of a principal portion of the disk deviceshown in FIG. 63.

FIG. 66 is an operating state transition diagram explaining an operatingstate of the disk device shown in FIG. 47.

FIG. 67 is an operating state transition diagram explaining an operatingstate of the disk device shown in FIG. 47.

FIG. 68 is an operating state transition diagram explaining an operatingstate of the disk device shown in FIG. 47.

FIG. 69 is an operating state transition diagram explaining an operatingstate of the disk device shown in FIG. 47.

FIG. 70 is an operating state transition diagram explaining an operatingstate of the disk device shown in FIG. 47.

FIG. 71 is an operating state transition diagram explaining an operatingstate of the disk device shown in FIG. 47.

FIG. 72 is a detailed diagram of a principal portion of the disk deviceshown in FIG. 71.

FIG. 73 is a structure diagram of a principal portion of the disk deviceshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 74 is a detailed diagram of a principal portion of the disk deviceshown in FIG. 73.

FIG. 75 is an operating state transition diagram explaining an operatingstate of the disk device shown in FIG. 73.

FIG. 76 is a detailed diagram of a principal portion of the disk deviceshown in FIG. 75.

FIG. 77 is an operating state transition diagram explaining an operatingstate of the disk device shown in FIG. 73.

FIG. 78 is a detailed diagram of a principal portion of the disk deviceshown in FIG. 77.

FIG. 79 is an operating state transition diagram explaining an operatingstate of the disk device shown in FIG. 73.

FIG. 80 is an explanatory diagram of a principal portion of the diskdevice shown in FIG. 73.

FIG. 81 is an operating state transition diagram explaining an operatingstate of the disk device shown in FIG. 80.

FIG. 82 is an operating state transition diagram explaining an operatingstate of the disk device shown in FIG. 80.

FIG. 83 is an operating state transition diagram explaining an operatingstate of the disk device shown in FIG. 80.

FIG. 84 is an operating state transition diagram explaining an operatingstate of the disk device shown in FIG. 80.

FIG. 85 is an explanatory diagram of a principal portion of the diskdevice shown in FIG. 73.

FIG. 86 is an explanatory diagram of a principal portion of the diskdevice shown in FIG. 73.

FIG. 87 is a structure diagram of a principal portion of the disk deviceshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 88 is a detailed diagram of a principal portion of the disk deviceshown in FIG. 87.

FIG. 89 is an operating state transition diagram explaining an operatingstate of the disk device shown in FIG. 87.

FIG. 90 is a detailed diagram of a principal portion of the disk deviceshown in FIG. 89.

FIG. 91 is an operating state transition diagram explaining an operatingstate of the disk device shown in FIG. 87.

FIG. 92 is an operating state transition diagram illustrating thestructure of a principal portion of the disk device shown in FIG. 1 andexplaining an operating state thereof.

FIG. 93 is an operating state transition diagram explaining an operatingstate of the disk device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 94 is an operating state transition diagram explaining an operatingstate of the disk device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 95 is an operating state transition diagram explaining an operatingstate of the disk device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 96 is an operating state transition diagram explaining an operatingstate of the disk device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 97 is an operating state transition diagram explaining an operatingstate of the disk device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 98 is an operating state transition diagram explaining an operatingstate of the disk device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 99 is an operating state transition diagram explaining an operatingstate of the disk device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 100 is an operating state transition diagram explaining anoperating state of the disk device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 101 is a structure diagram of a principal portion of the diskdevice shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 102 is an exploded perspective view of the disk device shown inFIG. 101.

FIG. 103 is an exploded perspective view of the disk device shown inFIG. 101.

FIG. 104 is a detailed diagram of a principal portion of the disk deviceshown in FIG. 101.

FIG. 105 is a detailed diagram of a principal portion of the disk deviceshown in FIG. 101.

FIG. 106 is a detailed diagram of a principal portion of the disk deviceshown in FIG. 101.

FIG. 107 is an operating state transition diagram explaining anoperating state of the disk device shown in FIG. 101.

FIG. 108 is a detailed diagram of a principal portion of the disk deviceshown in FIG. 101.

FIG. 109 is a detailed diagram of a principal portion of the disk deviceshown in FIG. 101.

FIG. 110 is an operating state transition diagram explaining anoperating state of a principal portion of the disk device shown in FIG.1.

FIG. 111 is an operating state transition diagram explaining anoperating state of the disk device shown in FIG. 110.

FIG. 112 is a detailed diagram of a principal portion of the disk deviceshown in FIG. 110.

FIG. 113 is a structure diagram of a principal portion of the diskdevice shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 114 is an explanatory diagram of a principal portion of the diskdevice shown in FIG. 113.

FIG. 115 is a structure diagram of a principal portion of the diskdevice shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 116 is a detailed diagram of a principal portion of the disk deviceshown in FIG. 115.

FIG. 117 is a detailed diagram of a principal portion of the disk deviceshown in FIG. 115.

FIG. 118 is an operating state transition diagram explaining anoperating state of the disk device shown in FIG. 117.

FIG. 119 is a detailed diagram of a principal portion of the disk deviceshown in FIG. 118.

FIG. 120 is a detailed diagram of a principal portion of the disk deviceshown in FIG. 118.

FIG. 121 is an operating state transition diagram explaining anoperating state of the disk device shown in FIG. 117.

FIG. 122 is an operating state transition diagram explaining anoperating state of the disk device shown in FIG. 117.

FIG. 123 is a detailed diagram of a principal portion of the disk deviceshown in FIG. 122.

FIG. 124 is a detailed diagram of a principal portion of the disk deviceshown in FIG. 122.

FIG. 125 is an operating state transition diagram explaining anoperating state of the disk device shown in FIG. 117.

FIG. 126 is a detailed diagram of a principal portion of the disk deviceshown in FIG. 125.

FIG. 127 is a detailed diagram of a principal portion of the disk deviceshown in FIG. 125.

FIG. 128 is a detailed diagram of a principal portion of the disk deviceshown in FIG. 125.

FIG. 129 is a structure diagram of a principal portion of the diskdevice shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 130 is an operating state transition diagram explaining anoperating state of the disk device shown in FIG. 129.

FIG. 131 is an operating state transition diagram explaining anoperating state of the disk device shown in FIG. 129.

FIG. 132 is an operating state transition diagram explaining anoperating state of the disk device shown in FIG. 129.

FIG. 133 is an operating state transition diagram explaining anoperating state of the disk device shown in FIG. 129.

FIG. 134 is an operating state transition diagram explaining anoperating state of the disk device shown in FIG. 129.

FIG. 135 is an operating state transition diagram explaining anoperating state of the disk device shown in FIG. 129.

FIG. 136 is a structure diagram of a principal portion of the diskdevice shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 137 is an explanatory diagram of a principal portion of the diskdevice shown in FIG. 136.

FIG. 138 is an explanatory diagram of a principal portion of the diskdevice shown in FIG. 136.

FIG. 139 is an explanatory diagram of a principal portion of the diskdevice shown in FIG. 136.

FIG. 140 is an operating state transition diagram explaining anoperating state of the disk device shown in FIG. 136.

FIG. 141 is an operating state transition diagram explaining anoperating state of the disk device shown in FIG. 136.

FIG. 142 is an explanatory diagram of a principal portion of the diskdevice shown in FIG. 141.

FIG. 143 is an operating state transition diagram explaining anoperating state of the disk device shown in FIG. 136.

FIG. 144 is an explanatory diagram of a principal portion of the diskdevice shown in FIG. 143.

FIG. 145 is a structure diagram of a principal portion of the diskdevice shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 146 is an operating state transition diagram explaining anoperating state of the disk device shown in FIG. 145.

FIG. 147 is an operating state transition diagram explaining anoperating state of the disk device shown in FIG. 145.

FIG. 148 is a detailed diagram of a principal portion of the disk deviceshown in FIG. 145.

FIG. 149 is an operating state transition diagram explaining anoperating state of the disk device shown in FIG. 145.

FIG. 150 is a detailed diagram of a principal portion of the disk deviceshown in FIG. 149.

FIG. 151 is an operating state transition diagram explaining anoperating state of the disk device shown in FIG. 145.

FIG. 152 is an operating state transition diagram explaining anoperating state of the disk device shown in FIG. 145.

FIG. 153 is an operating state transition diagram explaining anoperating state of the disk device shown in FIG. 145.

FIG. 154 is a detailed diagram of a principal portion of the disk deviceshown in FIG. 153.

FIG. 155 is a detailed diagram of a principal portion of the disk deviceshown in FIG. 153.

FIG. 156 is a detailed structure diagram of the disk device shown inFIG. 1.

FIG. 157 is a detailed diagram of a principal portion of the disk deviceshown in FIG. 156.

FIG. 158 is an operating state transition diagram illustratingtransition of an operating state of the disk device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 159 is an operating state transition diagram explaining anoperating state of the disk device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 160 is an operating state transition diagram explaining anoperating state of the disk device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 161 is an operating state transition diagram explaining anoperating state of the disk device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 162 is an operating state transition diagram explaining anoperating state of the disk device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 163 is an operating state transition diagram explaining anoperating state of the disk device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 164 is an operating state transition diagram explaining anoperating state of the disk device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 165 is an operating state transition diagram explaining anoperating state of the disk device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 166 is an operating state transition diagram explaining anoperating state of the disk device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 167 is an operating state transition diagram explaining anoperating state of the disk device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 168 is an operating state transition diagram explaining anoperating state of the disk device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 169 is an operating state transition diagram explaining anoperating state of the disk device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 170 is an operating state transition diagram explaining anoperating state of the disk device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 171 is an operating state transition diagram explaining anoperating state of the disk device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 172 is a schematic structure diagram showing a conventional diskdevice.

FIG. 173 is a sectional side view of the conventional disk device.

FIG. 174 is a sectional top view of the conventional disk device.

FIG. 175 is a sectional top view of the conventional disk device.

FIG. 176 is a sectional side view of the conventional disk device.

FIG. 177 is a schematic structure diagram showing another conventionaldisk device.

FIG. 178 is a schematic structure diagram showing another conventionaldisk device.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

For explaining the present invention in more detail, best modes forcarrying out the invention will be described hereinafter with referenceto the accompanying drawings.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a schematic structure diagram showing the interior of a diskdevice according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Thisdisk device can broadly be divided into four sections of mechanisms.

A first mechanism is a disk loading/unloading mechanism 100, which isdisposed near a disk inlet, for loading and unloading a disk, and asecond mechanism is a disk holding mechanism 200 which holds a diskwithin the disk device after the disk is loaded from the diskloading/unloading mechanism 100.

A third mechanism is a disk reproducing mechanism 300 which performsoperation for reproducing the disk held by the disk holding mechanism200 and a fourth mechanism is a disk storing mechanism 400 which storesand holds within the disk device the disk held by the disk holdingmechanism 200 and which delivers the disk thus stored and held to thedisk holding mechanism 200 at the time of reproducing or discharging thedisk.

A basic operation of this disk device will be described below.

When it is detected that a disk has been inserted into the disk device,loading of the disk into the disk device is started by the diskloading/unloading mechanism 100. Then, a part of the diskloading/unloading mechanism 100 comes into abutment against a peripheraledge portion of the disk to recognize the diameter of the disk andguides the disk so that the disk is conveyed to a center portion withinthe disk device.

When the disk loading/unloading mechanism 100 conveys the disk, the diskholding mechanism 200 performs a vertical positioning of the disk withinthe disk device and holds a part of the disk peripheral edge portion sothat the disk is conveyed up to the disk storing mechanism 400.

Next, the disk storing mechanism 400 receives the disk held by the diskholding mechanism 200, then stores and supports it.

Upon issuance of a command for disk reproducing operation, the diskholding mechanism 200 holds the disk stored by the disk storingmechanism 400, causing the disk to leave the disk storing mechanism 400,then the disk reproducing mechanism 300, which is disposed sideways ofthe disk device, moves toward the disk and rotates, whereby a diskreproducing operation is set and started.

On the other hand, upon receipt of a disk discharge command, operationsreverse to the above operation flow are performed. First, the diskreproducing mechanism 300 stops disk reproduction and the disk holdingmechanism 200 holds the disk after reproduction. Thereafter, the diskreproducing mechanism 300 turns in a direction opposite to the diskreproducing position and moves to a side position of the disk device,i.e., a retracted position.

Next, the disk loading/unloading mechanism 100 performs a disk unloadingoperation so as to discharge the disk to the exterior of the diskdevice, whereby a series of operations is completed.

Although the above description concerns only a series of operationsinvolving reproduction of a disk loaded into the disk device andunloading of the disk to the exterior of the disk device, the followingdescription is now provided about a series of operations for switchingfrom a disk being reproduced to a disk to be reproduced next.

First, the reproduction of a first disk being reproduced is stopped andthe disk holding mechanism 200 holds the first disk. Thereafter, thedisk reproducing mechanism 300 turns sideways of the disk device fromthe reproducing position of the first disk and moves to a storingposition. In this case, a second disk is stored in the disk storingmechanism.

Next, the disk loading/unloading mechanism 100 is moved to the diskinlet side so as to be retracted up to a predetermined position notopposed to the first disk surface. Thereafter, a part of the diskstoring mechanism 400 extends upwards of the disk device while beingloosely fitted in a hole of the first disk from below the disk deviceand is connected to another part of the disk storing mechanism 400.After this connecting operation, the holding state of the first disk bythe disk holding mechanism 200 is released.

At this time, the first disk is stored by the disk storing mechanism 400alone.

Further, upon release of the first disk, a driving means begins tooperate. With this driving force, the disk storing mechanism 400 looselyfitted in the disk is turned to switch the height of a desired disk,i.e., the second disk, to a reproducing height. At the same time, inaccordance with the rotational movement of the disk storing mechanism400 there is made switching of height so that the first disk is storedat a height different from the height of the reproducing position.

Next, the disk holding mechanism 200 operates to support the second diskand, after the second disk is held, the disk storing mechanism 400 turnsin a direction opposite to its moving motion performed for storing ofthe first disk, becomes disengaged from the hole of the second disk andit is retracted downwards of the disk device.

At this time, the second disk is held by only the disk holding mechanismand is set in the reproducing position.

Next, after the disk loading/unloading mechanism 100 has moved to apredetermined position within the disk device, the disk reproducingmechanism 300 moves to the second disk side for reproducing the seconddisk. After the disk reproducing mechanism 300 has reached apredetermined reproducing position, the disk holding mechanism isreleased and then the second disk is reproduced.

The basic operation of the disk device involves the above describedfunctions. First, a principal structure of the whole of the disk devicewill be described and subsequently the four mechanisms referred to abovewill be described in detail.

[1. Principal Structure of the Whole of the Disk Device]

FIG. 1 is a schematic structure diagram of the whole of the disk deviceaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIGS. 1and 2, the reference numeral 50 denotes a housing of the disk device and51 denotes a disk inlet for the insertion of discharge of each disk intoor from the interior of the disk device.

The disk loading/unloading mechanism 100, which is for loading andunloading a disk into and from the interior of the housing 50, is madeup of a roller portion 101 (to be described later) for loading andunloading a disk with respect to the interior of the disk device, a diskpressing portion 102 disposed in a position opposed to the rollerportion 101, and a roller unit moving means 103 for moving the rollerportion 101 and the disk pressing portion 102 as a unit within the rangefrom the disk inlet 51 side up to the interior of the disk device. Thedisk inserted through the disk inlet 51 is held grippingly by both theroller portion 101 and the disk pressing portion 102 and is loaded intothe interior of the disk device by a rotating motion of the rollerportion 101.

The disk holding mechanism 200 is made up of a disk holding portion 201and a moving means 220 for moving the disk holding portion 201 in thedirection shown by A or B. The disk holding portion 201 is normallypositioned so as to approach the disk inlet 51 side of a disk conveyancepath. A part of a peripheral edge portion of the disk loaded by the diskloading/unloading mechanism 100 comes into abutment against the diskholding portion 201, and in accordance with the diameter of the diskthus loaded the disk holding portion 201 holds the disk whilepositioning the disk at a corresponding predetermined position out ofpredetermined positions for different disk diameters. The moving means220 is formed in a cross link shape. More specifically, the moving means220 is composed of a left arm 221 and a right arm 222 both crossing eachother at a rotational axis 223. The disk holding mechanism 200 movesvertically in the direction shown by E or F in accordance with anoperating state of the disk.

In the disk holding portion 201 is formed a groove for insertion thereinof a part of the disk peripheral edge portion.

In a state (including a preparatory state for the reproducing operation)where the disk reproducing operation is not performed, the diskreproducing mechanism 300 is retracted so as to be positioned near aside wall of the housing 50 and is moved to the disk reproducingposition side only when the disk reproducing operation is to beperformed.

In the disk reproducing mechanism 300, although the details will bedescribed later, there are provided a turntable 310 having a tableportion 311 for resting a disk thereon, a drive motor (not shown) forrotating the disk on the turntable 310, and a pickup portion (not shown)for reading information recorded in the disk. Further provided is aclamp portion 320 which clamps the disk from above after the disk isrested on the turntable.

When an operating portion attached to the disk device for issuing areproduction command is operated by a user for the disk which has beenloaded into the disk device, the turntable 310 is turned in direction Gso that the center of the table portion 311 resting the disk thereonbecomes coincident with the center of the disk, then is moved in thedirection shown by H, and the moving means 220 descends in the directionshown by F, allowing the disk to be rested on the table portion 311.

At this time, the disk holding portion 220 is disengaged from the diskand the disk is carried by only the turntable 310.

Next, the clamp portion 320 is turned in the direction shown by I andthereafter is moved in the direction of H, allowing the disk held by theturntable 310 to be clamped from above. Thus, the disk is gripped byboth turntable 310 and clamp portion 320.

For stopping the disk reproducing operation, there are performedoperations reverse to the above, whereby the disk reproducing mechanismis moved so as to be retracted on the housing side.

The disk storing mechanism 400 functions to store and hold each diskwithin the disk device and can adjust the disk height by a turningmotion. With the disk storing mechanism 400, plurality of disks arestored within the disk device, and when a desired disk is to be selectedand reproduced from the plurality of disks, the disk storing mechanismswitches from one disk height to another.

The disk storing mechanism 400 stores and holds disks after loading bythe disk loading/unloading mechanism 100 in such a manner that surfacesof the disks are nearly parallel to one another and rotational axes ofthe disks are substantially coincident with one another. In this firstembodiment, six disks can be stored in the disk storing mechanism 400.

A schematic structure of the entire disk device is as described above.Next, structure and contents of operations will be described in detailbelow mechanism by mechanism.

[2. Disk Loading/Unloading Mechanism]

FIGS. 3 to 46 are drawings concerning the disk loading/unloadingmechanism.

The disk loading/unloading mechanism is composed of a roller portion forconveying a disk with a rotating force, a roller base portion whichholds the roller portion, a first position delimiting portion whichdelimits a height position of the disk when the disk is inserted, asecond position delimiting portion which delimits the position of thedisk so that the center of the disk coincides with the center of thedisk conveyance path at the time of conveying the disk inserted from thedisk inlet, a position changing portion for changing the position of thesecond position delimiting portion in accordance with the movement ofthe roller base portion, a link portion which fixes or releases a shaftof the roller portion in accordance with the disk conveyance positionand which changes the height of the roller base portion, a thirdposition delimiting portion which delimits a radial position of a diskwhen the disk is inserted and wherein, when the roller base portionmoves from the inner part of the disk device toward the disk inlet forexample at the time of reproducing the disk, a member for delimiting aradial position of the disk falls down in the moving direction of theroller base portion so as to retract, an arm portion for moving the diskholding mechanism to be described later so as to be interlocked with themovement of the third position delimiting portion, and a disk rollerbase movement suppressing mechanism which operates so as to suppress themovement of the roller base portion 110 at a predetermined position whenthe disk is inserted.

Structure and operations of the first position delimiting portion withreference to FIGS. 3 to 14, the second position delimiting portion andthe link portion with reference to FIGS. 15 to 31, the third positiondelimiting portion with reference to FIGS. 32 to 42, and a principalportion of the roller base movement suppressing mechanism with referenceto FIGS. 43 to 46 will be described below in a divided manner,respectively.

<First Position Delimiting Portion>

FIG. 3 is a structure diagram of a principal portion, showing astructural relation among the first position delimiting portion, theroller portion, and the roller base portion, FIG. 4 is a developedstructure diagram showing the structure of FIG. 3 in a developed form,and FIGS. 5 to 8 are sectional side views of the structure shown in FIG.3, illustrating operating states in various operation modes.

FIG. 9 is an operating state transition diagram illustrating anoperating state in an operation mode different from that shown in FIG.3, FIG. 10 is a sectional side view of the structure shown in FIG. 9,FIG. 11 is an operating state transition diagram illustrating anoperating state in an operation mode different from that shown in FIG.3, FIG. 12 is a sectional side view of the structure shown in FIG. 11,FIG. 13 is an operating state transition diagram illustrating anoperating state in an operation mode different from that shown in FIG.3, and FIG. 14 is a sectional side view of the structure shown in FIG.13.

A description will now be given with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.Reference numeral 51 denotes a disk inlet having a space D and 110denotes a roller base portion, which is structured as follows.

Reference numeral 111 denotes a lower roller base portion provided witha roller portion 112 (to be described later) which conveys a disk intoand out of the disk device, 113 denotes an upper roller base portionmounted above the lower roller base portion 111 and on a center side ofa disk conveyance path on which a disk is conveyed, the upper rollerbase portion 113 confronting the roller portion 112. The upper rollerbase portion 113 is provided with a disk pressing portion 114 formed bya metallic plate at a position confronting the disk inlet 51, the diskpressing portion 114 gripping the disk in cooperation with the rollerportion 112.

A part of the roller portion 112 which comes into abutment against thedisk surface, i.e., the outer periphery of its rotary shaft, is coveredwith a rubbery member so as to permit loading and unloading of a diskinto and out of the interior of the disk device. The roller portion 112is inclined so as to become smaller in diameter from both right and leftouter sides toward the central side. A cutout is formed centrally of theroller portion 112 and one end of a position delimiting member isattached thereto as described later.

When a disk is to be inserted or discharged, the disk is gripped by bothroller portion 112 structured as above and the disk pressing portion 114and is conveyed by rotational movement of the roller portion 112.

At the time of insertion or discharge of a disk, the roller base portion110 is positioned away from the disk inlet 51, i.e., on the inner sideof the disk device with respect to the retracted position, so that thedisk inlet 51 and the roller base portion 110 are spaced away from eachother. Therefore, when a disk is inserted from the disk inlet 51, thedisk conveying direction sometimes faces above or below the diskreceiving position of the roller base portion 110. This is prevented byposition delimiting portions, which are an upper position delimitingportion 115 for delimiting an upper height position and a lower positiondelimiting portion 116 for delimiting a lower height position.

One end 115 a, which is hook-shaped, of the upper position delimitingportion 115 is engaged in a hole 114 a formed in the disk pressingportion 114, while an opposite end 115 b also formed in hook shape isslidably fitted in a groove 117 a formed in a shutter portion 117.Likewise, one end 116 a, which is hook-shaped, of the lower positiondelimiting portion 116 is engaged in a hole 112 d formed in a lowerposition of the roller portion 112, while an opposite end 116 b alsoformed in hook shape is slidably fitted in a groove 118 a of a slideportion 118 provided on the housing 50 below the disk inlet.

The shutter 117, which is provided in the disk inlet, closes the diskinlet to prevent the entry of disk into the disk device duringreproduction of the disk and opens the disk inlet to permit the entry ofthe disk into the disk device at the time of disk insertion.

The upper position delimiting portions 115 and lower position delimitingportions 116 are each inclined so that the spacing between the two isshorter on the roller base side D2 than on the disk inlet side D1. Withthis arrangement, if a disk moves upward when inserted, it comes intoabutment against the upper position delimiting portion 115 as shown inFIG. 6, which in turn the upper position delimiting portion 115 guidesthe disk so as to convey the disk to a predetermined position in theroller base portion 110 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. On the other hand, ifthe disk moves downward, it comes into abutment against the lowerposition delimiting portion 116, which in turn guides the disk forconveyance to a predetermined position in the roller base portion 110.

FIG. 10 shows a state in which the guide by the position delimitingportions is over and the disk has been conveyed (loaded) by the rollerportion 112.

Further, as shown in FIG. 11, when the conveyance of the disk up to adisk reproducing position or a disk changing position, which arepredetermined disk positions, is over, the roller base portion 110 movesin the direction shown by A up to its position shown in FIG. 13 becauseit is an obstacle to the disk reproducing or changing operation. At thistime, with the hole 114 a of the disk pressing portion 114 as fulcrum,the opposite end 115 b of the upper position delimiting portion 115slides in direction E through the groove 117 a formed in the shutterportion 117 and likewise the opposite end 116 b of the lower positiondelimiting portion 116 slides in the same direction through the groove118 a formed in the slide portion 118, so that the disk inlet and theroller base portion approach each other. In this case, the ends of bothupper and lower position delimiting portions 115 and 116 come intoabutment against end portions in the direction of E, of the grooveswhile sliding through the grooves to complete the movement of the rollerbase portion.

A description will now be given about the operation. First, in the stateshown in FIG. 3, that is, in the state before disk insertion, the diskinlet and the roller base portion 110 are in such a positional relationas to afford a predetermined gap L. From this state, as shown in FIG. 9,the disk leaves the disk inlet 51 and is conveyed by only the rollerbase portion. In this state, the positional relation between the diskinlet and the roller base portion 110 remains the same as in FIG. 3.

Next, as the disk is conveyed into the interior of the disk device, themoving mechanism in the roller base portion 110 operates, so that, asshown in FIG. 11, the roller base portion moves in the direction of Aand is allowed to begin retracting on the disk inlet side.

Further, as shown in FIG. 13, the roller base portion 110 moves in thedirection of A up to a position adjacent to the disk inlet.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 13, with the hole 114 a of the diskpressing portion 114 as fulcrum, the opposite end 115 b of the upperposition delimiting portion 115 slides in the direction of E through thegroove 117 a formed in the shutter portion 117 and likewise the oppositeend 116 b of the lower position delimiting portion 116 slides in thesame direction through the groove 118 a, so that the disk inlet and theroller base portion approach each other. Now, a series of operations iscompleted.

<Second Position Delimiting Portion and Link Portion>

FIG. 15 is a structure diagram showing a structural relation among thesecond position delimiting portion, the roller portion, the roller baseportion, and the height adjusting portion.

In FIG. 15, reference numeral 113 c denotes a groove formed arcuately inthe upper roller base portion, and s 121 and 122 denote holding arms asdisk holding portions formed with grooves respectively, the groovesserving to hold a part of a peripheral edge portion of a disk R insertedfrom the disk inlet.

The arm 121 is a left arm. On the backside of the left arm 121 is formeda pin 121 b. The left arm 121 is rotatable in the direction of A or Babout a fulcrum 121 a while a projecting portion of the pin 121 b isslidably fitted in and guided by the groove 113 c.

The arm 122 is a right arm, which is rotatable in the direction of C orD through a pivot shaft 123 attached to a height delimiting portion 130which will be described later.

The height delimiting portion 130, which delimits the height of theright arm 122, moves in the direction of E in accordance with aconveyance position of the disk and in interlock with the operation of alink portion (not shown). Then, the pivot shaft 123 of the right arm 122comes into abutment against the inside of an inclined portion 131 to bedescribed later and is guided thereby, causing the height of the rightarm 122 to shift in the direction of F. Upon arrival of the pivot shaft123 at an upper position of the inclined portion 131, a projectingportion (not shown) formed on the pivot shaft 123 abuts the heightdelimiting portion 130 and turns in the longitudinal direction of theheight delimiting portion 130.

Reference numeral 113 d denotes a hole formed in the upper roller baseportion 113 and reference numeral 125 denotes a projecting portionprojecting from the height delimiting portion 130, the projectingportion 125 being loosely fitted in the hole 113 d.

Reference numeral 131 denotes an inclined portion. When the pivot shaft123 of the right arm 122 is not in abutment against the inclined portion131, the right arm 122 is positioned as shown in FIG. 3 by an urgingportion connected to both the pivot shaft 123 and the height delimitingportion 130 so that the right arm can hold the disk. As the heightdelimiting portion 130 moves in the direction of E, the pivot shaft 123begins to abut the inclined portion 131, and with further movement inthe direction of E, of the height delimiting portion 130, the pivotshaft 123 lifts the right arm 122.

The operation will now be described. When a disk not inserted, the diskdevice is assumed in such a state as shown in FIG. 19. At this time, theright arm 122 is urged in the direction of D by an urging means 124,while the left arm 121 is urged on its back side in the direction of Bby an urging means 125, as shown in FIG. 18. Therefore, when a disk hasbeen conveyed from the roller arm portion 110 and is not in abutmentagainst the left arm 121 and right arm 122, it stands by at its positionshown in FIG. 19.

Next, when the disk is conveyed by the roller portion 112 and itsperipheral edge portion comes into abutment against the left arm 121 andright arm 122, the disk is assumed in such a state as shown in FIG. 15.Upon further conveyance of the disk to the inner part of the diskdevice, there is obtained such a state as shown in FIG. 20, in which theperipheral edge portion of the disk is held by both left and right arms121 and 122. Then, upon arrival of the disk at a predetermined position,the roller base portion 110 begins to move in the direction of A, sothat the projecting portion 125, which is loosely fitted in the hole 113d formed on the upper roller base portion 113, switches from itsabutment against the peripheral edge portion of the hole 113 d on thedisk inlet side to its abutment against the inner side of the diskdevice, that is, the protrusion 125 is interlocked with the movement indirection A of the roller base portion 110, so that the roller baseportion 110 moves to the disk inlet side and further moves into thestate shown in FIG. 22.

Upon further movement of the roller base portion 110 in the direction ofA, a concave portion 123 a of the pivot shaft 123 on the right arm 122comes into abutment against the inclined portion 131 of the heightdelimiting portion 130, as shown in FIG. 23. Upon this abutment, asshown in FIGS. 24 and 25, a projecting portion 130 a formed on a part ofthe height delimiting portion 130 abuts against and pushes the pin 123 bwhich is in abutment against a part of the pivot shaft 123 of the rightarm 122, so that the pin 123 b turns in direction A shown in FIG. 25 andthe right arm 122 turns in the direction of C in FIG. 15 to release thedisk from its holding state.

Further, as the roller base portion 110 moves in the direction of A, asshown in FIGS. 26 and 27, the concave portion 123 a of the pivot shaft123 on the right arm 122 rises along the inclined portion 131 of theheight delimiting portion 130. Thus, the right arm 122 also changes itsheight while releasing the disk from the holding state.

In this way the loading of the disk is completed, it becomes ready fordisk reproducing or replacing operation.

On the other hand, the left arm 121 shown in FIG. 28 is assumed in itsstate shown in FIG. 29 and an abutment portion 141 of an abutment pin140 provided on the roller base portion 110 is put in abutment againstan abutment portion 121 d of the left arm 121 to restrict the movementof the left arm in the direction of B shown in FIG. 20.

Next, when the disk is to be discharged after the state shown in FIG.28, the roller base portion 110 moves in the direction of A, as shown inFIG. 30. The height delimiting portion 130 also moves in the directionof A in interlock with this movement, the concave portion 123 a of thepivot shaft 123 on the right arm 122 descends along the inclined portion131 of the height delimiting portion 130. As the roller base portion 110further moves in the direction of A, the pin 123 b abutted against apart of the pivot shaft 123 of the right arm 122 and the projectingportion 130 a formed on part of the height delimiting portion 130 becomeout of abutment against each other and the right arm 122 turns in thedirection of B with the urging force of the urging means 124 acting inthe direction of B, restarting to hold a part of the peripheral edgeportion of the disk. Now, a series of operations are completed.

<Third Position Delimiting Portion>

FIG. 32 is a structure diagram of a principal portion, showing astructural relation among the third position delimiting portion, theroller portion, the roller base portion, and the link portion.

In FIG. 32, the reference numeral 141 denotes a link portion adapted topivot in the direction of A or B with a fitting hole 141 a as a pivotaxis, the fitting hole 141 a being fitted on a pivot shaft (not shown)disposed in the interior of the disk device. The link portion 141 isurged in the direction of A constantly by an urging means (not shown).Reference numeral 142 denotes a projecting portion as a disk abuttingportion against which a part of the disk outer peripheral portion abutsin accordance with the position of the disk inserted from the diskinlet. In the case of abutment of a portion located at a diametricalposition of the disk, the projecting portion 142 moves a maximumquantity in the direction of B, while in the case of disengagement fromthe disk, the projecting portion is turned in the direction of A with anurging force of an urging means attached to the link portion 141 and iscapable of falling in the direction of F.

Reference numeral 143 denotes a plate having a fitting hole 143 formedat one end thereof in which is fitted a projecting portion (not shown)formed at one end of the link portion 143. A projecting portion 145 isformed on part of the plate 144.

In this embodiment, although the details will be described later, theprojecting portion 145 is linked with a lock plate which inhibits themovement of the disk holding mechanism. The projecting portion 145 locksor unlocks the disk holding mechanism interlocking with the movement ofthe disk holding mechanism.

Therefore, when the link portion 141 moves in the direction of B, theplate portion 144 moves in the direction of C and the projecting portion145 moves another mechanism. On the other hand, when the link portion141 moves in the direction of A, the plate portion 144 moves in adirection opposite to the direction of C.

For the conveyance of a disk, the roller base portion 110 occupies itsposition shown in FIG. 35, while when the disk is to be subject to thereproducing or replacing operation, the roller base portion 110 moves toits retracted position side. At this time, the projecting portion 142falls to the disk inlet side with a pressing force induced duringmovement of the roller base portion 110, thus so as to cause no obstacleto the movement of the roller base portion 110.

A description will be given below about the operation.

First, with no disk inserted as in FIG. 32, the disk device is in a diskinsertion stand-by state and the projecting portion 142 lies on the diskinlet side with respect to the roller base portion 110. FIG. 34 showsthe details of a principal portion in this state.

Next, a disk is inserted from the disk inlet and the loading of the diskis started by the roller base portion 110, whereupon the peripheral edgeportion of the disk comes into abutment against the projecting portion142 as shown in FIG. 35. FIG. 36 shows the details of a principalportion in this state. Further, as the disk is conveyed into the diskdevice by the roller portion 112, the peripheral edge portion of thedisk pushes the projecting portion 142 in direction A as shown in FIG.37 since the urging force of the link portion 141 is smaller than thedisk conveying force. With this movement in the direction of A, the linkportion 141 turns in the direction of B about the pivot shaft fitted inthe fitting hole 141 a and the plate 144 moves in the direction of C.This movement causes movement of the lock plate linked to the projectingportion 145, whereby the disk holding mechanism is unlocked.

Next, as the disk is further conveyed into the disk device, theperipheral edge portion of the disk and the projecting portion 142 aredisengaged from each other as shown in FIG. 38 and the link portion 141turns in the direction of A with the urging force of the urging means.At this time, the disk is set to the reproducing position or thereplacing position.

At the time of reproducing or replacing the disk, the roller baseportion 110 is started to move to the disk inlet side because it becomesan obstacle and should therefore be retracted. At this time, theprojecting portion 142 against which the upper roller base portion 113abuts moves in the direction of A as shown in FIG. 39 and further movesinto its state shown in FIG. 40. A still further movement of the upperroller base portion 113 results in such a state as shown in FIG. 41. Atthis time, the projecting portion 142 falls in the direction of B withthe moving force, in the direction of A, of the roller base portion 110,allowing the roller base portion to escape. FIG. 42 is a diagram showingthe details of a principal portion in this state.

<Roller Base Movement Suppressing Mechanism>

FIG. 43 is a structure diagram of a roller base movement suppressingmechanism for suppressing the movement of the roller base portion 110 ata predetermined position when a disk is inserted, FIG. 44 is anexplanatory diagram of a principal portion shown in FIG. 43, FIG. 45 isan operating state transition diagram explaining an operating state ofthe disk device shown in FIG. 43, and FIG. 46 is an operating statetransition diagram explaining an operating state of the disk deviceshown in FIG. 43.

The roller base movement suppressing mechanism will be described belowwith reference to FIGS. 43 to 46.

Before describing the structure and operation of this mechanism, adescription will first be given below about the purpose of thismechanism. When a disk is inserted from the disk inlet and the rollerportion turns to feed the disk into the disk device, the roller baseportion undergoes a repulsive force of the disk conveying force andmoves in a direction opposite to the disk inserting direction. Duringconveyance of the disk, therefore, it is necessary to inhibit themovement of the roller base portion to the disk inlet side. This is tobe done by this mechanism.

Reference numeral 151 denotes a cam plate disposed between an end faceof the roller base portion and a surface of a link plate (to bedescribed later). The cam plate 151 has a link hole 151 a formed in oneend thereof, the link hole 151 a being linked with a part of a mechanism(not shown) which causes the disk holding mechanism 200 (to be describedlater) to move vertically. In the cam plate 151 is formed a wavy groove151 b.

Reference numeral 152 denotes a link plate disposed between the housingand the cam plate 151. A first pin 152 a and a second pin 152 b areprovided on a surface of the link plate 152 which surface confronts thehousing, and a projecting portion (not shown) is formed on a surface ofthe link plate 152 which surface confronts the cam plate 151. Theprojecting portion is slidably fitted in the groove 151 b of the camplate 151 and a groove (not shown) for slidable fitting therein of thefirst and second pins is formed vertically in the housing opposed to thelink plate 152. Further, reference numeral 152 c denotes an abutmentportion for abutment against a retaining portion 113 c provided at anend portion of the upper roller base portion 113 to inhibit themovement, in the direction of B, of the roller base portion 110.

According to this structure, in response to movement, in the directionof A or B, of the cam plate 151, the projecting portion of the linkplate 152 slides within the groove 151 b and moves in the verticaldirection (direction C or D) through the first and second pins 152 a and152 b. A principal portion of FIG. 43 is shown in FIG. 44.

The following description is now provided about the operation.

As shown in FIG. 43, when a disk is to be inserted and conveyed, theretaining portion 113 c formed on the upper roller base portion 113 isput in abutment against the abutment portion 152 c of the link plate 152and is inhibited from moving in the direction of D. Thus, duringconveyance of the disk, the disk inlet and the roller base portion canbe spaced a certain distance from each other.

Next, as shown in FIG. 45, as the disk is conveyed, the mechanism formoving the disk holding mechanism 200 (to be described later) verticallyin accordance with the disk conveyance operates and the link hole 151 alinked with the link portion (not shown) which is interlocked with theoperation of the mechanism is pushed in the direction of B, that is, thecam plate 151 moves in the direction of B, so that the abutment portion152 c of the link arm 152 which is in sliding engagement in the groove15 b formed in the cam plate 151 moves in the direction of D and isdisengaged from the retaining portion 113 c, thus permitting movement inthe direction of B of the roller base portion 110.

Next, as shown in FIG. 46, when the disk has reached the inner part ofthe disk device, that is, when the disk reproducing operation is to beperformed or upon storage of the disk, the roller base portion 110 ismoved to the disk inlet side by the moving mechanism (not shown) whichis for moving the roller base portion. Now, a series of operations iscompleted.

Next, reference will be made below to the disk holding mechanism.

[3. Disk Holding Mechanism]

FIGS. 47 to 91 are drawings concerning the disk holding mechanism.

The disk holding mechanism is composed of a disk holding section forholding disks of different diameters, i.e., disks of both large andsmall diameters, the disk holding portion performing the positioning ofdisk so as to permit a reliable setting to the disk reproducing positionand the disk storing position, a disk detecting portion for detectingthat the disk holding portion has held a disk, and an auxiliary holdingportion which restricts the height and inclination of the disk incooperation with the disk holding portion.

Structures and operations of principal portions of the disk holdingportion, the disk detecting portion, and the auxiliary holding portionwill be described below with reference to FIGS. 47 to 72, FIGS. 73 to86, and FIGS. 87 to 91, respectively.

<Disk Holding Section>

FIG. 47 is a structure diagram of a principal portion of the diskholding portion and FIG. 48 is a developed structure diagram of theprincipal portion shown in FIG. 47. In FIG. 47, the reference numeral211 denotes a holding portion for holding a part of the peripheral edgeportion of a disk when the disk is to be conveyed or replaced. Theholding portion 211 can hold disks of different diameters, i.e., a largediameter disk R1 (e.g., 12 cm disk) and a smaller diameter disk R2(e.g., 8 cm disk). A groove 212 is formed in the holding portion 211 onthe side opposed to the disk. The peripheral edge portion of the disk isinserted into the groove 212, whereby the disk is held. Further, a slidgroove 213 is formed in an upper surface of the holding portion 211 soas to extend in the longitudinal direction of the holding portion 211.The details of holding the disk in the holding portion 211 are as shownin FIG. 49.

As to the shape of the holding portion 211, it is as shown in FIG. 50.FIG. 51 illustrates a state in which both large diameter disk R1 andsmall diameter disk R2 are held. Both disks are different in all of thelength of diameter, the position of inside diameter (inside diameters ofthe large and small diameter disks are r1 and r2, respectively), andarc, so a space is formed on the inner side of the disk holding portion,thus permitting both disks to be held accurately.

Reference numeral 221 denotes a left arm for holding the holding portion211, one end 224 of the left arm 221 being slidably fitted in the slidegroove 213 of the holding portion 211. Reference numeral 222 denotes aright arm, one end 225 of which is pivoted or journaled in the holdingportion 211, the right arm 222 being formed in a cross-link shapetogether with the left arm 221 with a pivot shaft 223 as axis andadapted to move in the direction of A when pushed upon insertion of adisk into the holding portion 211. An opposite end of the left arm 221is formed with a hole 226 for fitting therein of a first shaft 231 (tobe described later), while an opposite end 227 of the right arm 222 isprovided with a shaft portion 225 extending downward.

Reference numeral 231 denotes a first shaft which is loosely fitted inthe hole 226 of the left arm 221. At a lower end of the first shaft 231is provided a first switching portion 232 with a pin 233 disposed at aposition different from the axis of the first shaft 231. The firstswitching portion 232 is slidably fitted in a groove 242 (to bedescribed later) formed in a first cam plate 240. When the first camplate 240 moves in the direction of C, the pin 233 moves so as to beguided along the groove 242 with the first shaft 231 as fulcrum inaccordance with the movement of the first cam plate. In the case of thismovement in the direction of C, both left and right arms 221, 222, whichare in a cross link shape, are turned in the direction of A, allowingthe disk holding mechanism to be stored. On the other hand, when thefirst cam plate 240 moves in the direction D, the pin 233 moves so as tobe guided along the groove 242 with the first shaft 231 as fulcrum inaccordance with the movement of the first cam plate. In case of thismovement in the direction D, both left and right arms 221, 222, whichare in a cross link shape, are turned in the direction of B, allowingthe disk holding mechanism to operate so as to project forward as shownin FIG. 47.

Reference numeral 234 denotes a second shaft which supports a lowerportion of a vertical base 280. As is the case with the first shaft 231,at a lower end of the second shaft 234 is provided a second switchingportion 235 with a pin 236 disposed at a position different from theaxis of the second shaft 234. Like the first switching portion 232, thesecond switching portion 235 is slidably fitted in a groove 244 (to bedescribed later) formed in the first cam plate 240. When the first camplate 240 moves in the direction of C, the pin 236 moves so as to beguided along the groove 244 with the second shaft 234 as fulcrum inaccordance with the movement of the first cam plate. In the case of thismovement in the direction of C, the left and right arms 221, 222, whichare in a cross link shape, are turned in the direction of A, allowingthe disk holding mechanism to be stored. On the other hand, when thefirst cam plate 240 moves in the direction of D, the pin 236 moves so asto be guided along the groove 244 with the second shaft 234 as fulcrumin accordance with the movement of the first cam plate. In the case ofthis movement in the direction of D, the left and right arms 221, 222,which are in a cross link shape, are turned in the direction of B,causing the disk holding mechanism to operate so as to project forwardas shown in FIG. 47. The first and second switching portions 232 and 235are adapted to operate with movement, in the direction of C or D, of thefirst cam plate 240 and are interlocked with each other, whereby botharms 221, 222 can be allowed to perform a turning motion smoothly.

Reference numeral 237 denotes a gear portion mounted on an upper end ofthe second shaft 234, the gear portion 237 being rotated with rotationalmovement of the second shaft 234. That is, the gear portion 237 rotatesin direction E with movement in the direction C of the first cam plate240 and rotates in the direction of F with movement in the direction Dof the first cam plate. A link arm (not shown) is linked to the gearportion 237, the link arm having at one end thereof a gear portionmeshing with the gear portion 237 and also having at an opposite endthereof a pin which is fitted in a hole 291 (to be described later), thehole 291 being formed in a position corresponding to a pivot shaft of aholding arm 290.

Thus, the holding arm 290 is turned in the direction of G or Hinterlocking with movement, in the direction of C or D, of the first camplate 240.

In one end of the first cam plate 240 is formed a hole 241. The hole 241is linked to a gear train (not shown) on a drive motor (not shown) whichturns ON upon conveyance of a disk to a predetermined position. In anopposite end of the first cam plate 240 is formed a groove 244 forslidable fitting therein of the pin 236 of the second switching section235 provided on the second shaft 234. Further, near the central portionis formed a groove 242 for slidable fitting therein of the pin 233 inthe first switching section 232 provided on the first shaft 231.

Reference numeral 250 denotes a second cam plate for moving the holdingportion 211 and the left and right arms 221, 222 vertically. In one endof the second cam plate 250 is formed a hole 251 for fitting therein ofa link portion (not shown), the link portion being linked to operationsof a gear train (not shown) which are operated with the disk conveyingoperation. At an opposite end of the second cam plate 250 is formed asupport portion for supporting a lower portion of the vertical base 280(to be described later) and near a central part thereof is formed agroove 252 for permitting a vertical movement of the whole of thevertical base 280 including the holding portion 211 and the left andright arms 221, 222. The groove 252 is formed longitudinally so as toextend partially upward. A shutter cam plate 270 is positioned on theback of the second cam plate and a projecting portion 271 (to bedescribed later) is formed on part of the shutter cam plate 270, theprojecting portion 271 being slidably fitted in the groove 252.

When the second cam plate 250 moves in the direction of C, the verticalbase 280 including the holding portion 211 and the left and right arms221, 222 is supported at a normal height H1. When the second cam plate250 moves in the direction of D, the vertical base 280 including theholding portion 211 and the left and right arms 221, 222 is supportedhalfway at the height H1. Upon further movement in the direction of D,the upper base 280 including the holding portion 211 and the left andright arms 221, 222 is moved upward up to height H2. The movement of thesecond cam plate 250 and that of the first cam plate 240 are independentof each other.

Reference numeral 260 denotes a third cam plate for restricting themovement of the right arm 222 in accordance with the state of diskconveyance, i.e., the movement, in the direction of A, of the holdingportion 211 and the left and right arms 221, 222. In one end of thethird cam plate 260 is formed a hole 261 for fitting therein of a pin,the pin being provided in a link mechanism (not shown) which operates inaccordance with disk conveyance. At the other end of the third cam plate260 is provided a retaining portion with which a retaining portion 287of a switching plate 285 is engaged with movement, in the direction ofC, of the third cam plate 260 to let the switching plate 285 turn indirection A. With this movement, in the direction of A, of the switchingplate 285 the second shaft 234 is brought into engagement with a recess286 formed in the switching plate 285. More specifically, the diskdevice can handle disks of different diameters, so if the holdingportion 211 holds a disk of a small diameter at the same position as inthe case of a large diameter disk, the center of the disk lies on aninner side of the disk device with respect to the disk reproducingposition. Therefore, it is necessary that the large diameter be allowedto project on this side of the disk device in comparison with the caseof a large diameter disk. This switching operation is performed by theswitching plate 285. The switching plate 285 is operated with movement,in the direction of C or D, of the third cam plate 260.

Reference numeral 270 denotes a shutter cam plate. The shutter cam plate270 has a projecting portion 271 which is slidably fitted in the groove252 formed in the second cam plate 250 and a projecting portion 272which is fitted in a hole formed in a link mechanism (not shown), thelink mechanism functioning to actuate a shutter portion (not shown)provided in the disk inlet. When the shutter plate 270 moves in thedirection of C, the link mechanism turns in the direction of G to closethe shutter, while when the shutter plate 270 moves in the direction ofD, the link mechanism turns in the direction of H to open the shutter.

The vertical base 280, which carries thereon the holding portion 211 andthe left and right arms 221, 222, is structured so as to move verticallyin accordance with the movement, in the direction of C or D, of thesecond cam plate 250. When the second dam plate 250 moves in thedirection of C, the vertical base 280 including the holding portion 211and the left and right arms 221, 222 is supported at the normal heightH1. When the second cam plate 250 moves in the direction of D, thevertical base 280 including the holding portion 211 and the left andright arms 221, 222 is supported halfway at the height H1. Upon furthermovement, in the direction of D, of the second cam plate 250, thevertical base 280 including the holding portion 211 and the left andright arms 211 and 222 is raised up to the height H2.

Reference numeral 285 denotes a switching plate which is interlockedwith the movement of the third cam plate 260. In one end of theswitching plate 285 is formed a hole 261 for fitting a pin therein, thepin being provided on a link mechanism (not shown) which is adapted tooperate in accordance with disk conveyance. At the other end of theswitching plate 285 is formed a retaining portion for engagement withthe retaining portion 287 of the switching plate 285 with movement, inthe direction of C, of the third cam plate 260. In this engaged statethe switching plate 285 is turned in the direction of A to bring thesecond shaft 234 into engagement in the recess 286 of the switchingplate 285.

Reference numeral 288 denotes a lock lever having a position delimitingportion and a groove portion. The position delimiting portion delimits aprojecting position of the holding portion 211 on the basis of the sizeof the disk held by the holding portion 211. In the groove portion isfitted the second shaft 234 to restrict the movement of the holdingportion 211 and the left and right arms 222 and 223 at the time ofsetting the disk position. The groove portion is formed with a groove288 a in which the second shaft 234 is fitted in the case of a largediameter disk and a groove 288 b in which the second shaft 234 is fittedin the case of a small diameter disk. The details of shape are as shownin FIG. 53. In addition, the details of shape on the back surface of thelock lever 288 are as shown in FIG. 54.

Reference numeral 290 denotes a holding arm. In one end of the holdingarm 290 is formed a hole 291 in which is fitted a pin provided at oneend of a link portion, the link portion having a gear portion (to bedescribed later) meshing with the gear portion 237 mounted on one end ofthe second shaft 234. At an opposite end of the holding arm 290 isprovided a holding portion 292 for holding the peripheral edge portionof the disk. The holding portion 292 is internally formed with a grooveto hold the disk. The holding arm 290 is disposed in opposition to theholding portion 211. That is, the disk is held at one diameter thereofby the holding portion 211 and at the other by the holding portion 292.The details of a disk holding state by the disk holding portion are asshown in FIG. 52.

When the disk is to be held by the holding portion 211, it is held alsoby the holding portion 292. Thus, the disk is gripped by both holdingportions 211 and 292.

A description is now directed to the operation with reference to FIGS.55 to 57.

FIGS. 55 to 67 illustrate a disk reproducing process involvingconveyance of a disk, holding of the disk, replacement of the disk withanother disk stored in the disk storing mechanism, and operation forreproducing the replaced disk.

First, as shown in FIG. 55, when a disk is not held by the holdingportion 211, that is, in a stand-by state for holding a disk, theholding portion 211 and the left and right arms 221, 222 carried on thevertical base 280 project forwardly. The details of a principal portionin this state are as shown in FIG. 56.

Next, as shown in FIG. 57, when a disk is held by the holding portion211, the third cam plate 260 moves in the direction of A in interlockwith disk conveyance and a pin 262 provided below the third cam plate260 is brought into engagement with the retaining portion 287 to unlockthe lock lever 285.

With the lock lever 285 thus unlocked, the left and right arms 221, 222become movable. As shown in FIG. 58, the first cam plate moves indirection A and interlocking with this movement the left and right arms221, 222 are folded so as to be stowed within the vertical lever 280.The holding arm 290 also turns in direction A so as to hold the disk. Asa result, the disk is held by both holding portions 211 and 292. At thistime, the holding portion 211 connected to both left and right arms 221,222 is also stowed.

Next, as shown in FIG. 59, when the disk is to be stored in the diskstoring mechanism or when it is to be replaced with another disk alreadystored in the disk storing mechanism, the operation concerned isperformed at the height H2 which is higher than the normal position H1(shown in FIG. 47). Therefore, when the disk holding operation iscompleted as in FIG. 58, the second cam plate 250 moves in direction Cshown in FIG. 47, causing the vertical base 280 including the holdingportion 211 and the left and right arms 221, 222 to rise. This ascendingmotion is performed while holding the disk gripped by both holdingportion 211 and holding arm 290. The details of a principal portion inthis state of FIG. 59 is as shown in FIG. 60.

After these series of operations, the disk storing mechanism stores thedisk as in FIG. 61. While the vertical base 280 rises, the disk is urgedfrom below against the support means (spacer portion) located at the topstage of the disk storing mechanism. The details of a principal portionin this state of FIG. 61 is as shown in FIG. 62. Further, as shown inFIG. 63, since the disk is urged against the support means (spacerportion) located at the top stage of the disk storing mechanism, it issupported without looseness. Therefore, the holding portion 211 and theholding arm 280 which have so far held the disk are disengaged from thedisk. The details of a principal portion in this state of FIG. 63 are asshown in FIG. 64 and the details of a principal portion on the backsideare as shown in FIG. 65.

Next, the reproduction of the disk supported by the disk storingmechanism 400 is performed in the following manner. From the state ofFIG. 63, first the turntable 310 turns in the direction of A, as shownin FIG. 66, and the second cam plate 250 moves in the direction of Dshown in FIG. 47, causing the vertical base 280 to move down andallowing the disk to be rested on the table portion 311. Thereafter, theclamp portion 320 turns in the direction of B and clamps the disk fromabove the disk. With this operation, the disk is gripped by bothturntable 310 and clamp portion 320. Next, since the disk is gripped bythe turntable 310 and the clamp portion 320, the first cam plate 240moves in the direction of C as in FIG. 67, allowing the left and rightarms 221, 222 to be stowed in the vertical base, and the disk isreleased from its holding state. Now, a series of operations arecompleted. For reverse operations, the process described above isreversed.

Although the above description is of a large diameter disk, it is alsoapplicable to a small diameter disk. FIGS. 68 and 69 illustrate a statein which a small diameter disk is held. FIG. 68 shows a state in which adisk is not held at a central position, but is held on a somewhat leftside, and FIG. 69 shows a state in which a disk is held on a somewhatright side. A small diameter disk is pressed against the holding portion211 by the holding arm 290 and is held thereby. Next, as shown in FIG.71, the second cam plate 250 is moved, thereby raising the vertical base280 and urging it from below against the support means (spacer portion)located at the top stage of the disk storing mechanism, whereby the diskis gripped by both holding portion 211 and holding arm 290. The detailsof a principal portion in this state of FIG. 71 are as shown in FIG. 72.

<Disk Detecting Portion>

FIG. 73 is a structure diagram showing the structure of the disk holdingportion including the disk detecting portion and FIG. 74 is a structurediagram of a principal portion of the disk detecting portion. In bothfigures, reference numeral 215 denotes a detecting switch provided in aninner part of the groove 212 formed in the holding portion 211 and 216denotes an abutment portion in the detecting switch 215. When a disk isinserted into and held by the disk holding portion 211, the peripheraledge portion of the disk is put in abutment against the abutment portion216. When the disk is abutted and pushed against the abutment portion216 to turn ON the detecting switch 215, a microcomputer (not shown)judges that the disk is held. In contrast therewith, if the detectingswitch 215 remains OFF even upon lapse of a predetermined time after thestart of disk insertion, the microcomputer judges that the holdingportion 211 does not hold the disk accurately. Other structural pointsare the same as in FIG. 47 and so explanations thereof will here beomitted.

Next, a description will be given about the operation.

The operation of the disk holding portion is the same as that describedabove. FIG. 73 shows a state in which a disk is being conveyed and isnot held by the holding portion 211. FIG. 75 shows a state in which thedisk is being held by the holding portion 211. In this connection, FIG.76 shows a state in which the disk begins to abut the abutment portion216 of the detecting switch 215. In this state the detecting switch 215is not turned ON yet. As the disk further moves in the direction of A soas to be held by the holding portion 211, it pushes the abutment portion216, which turns ON the detecting switch, as shown in FIGS. 77 and 78.Upon turning ON of the detecting switch 215 it is judged in the diskdevice that the disk holding operation has been completed without anytrouble, as shown in FIG. 79. Thus, the holding state of the disk can bejudged accurately and it is possible to prevent the occurrence ofmalfunction of the disk device.

The following description is now provided in association with theoperation of the disk holding mechanism 200 and that of the disk storingmechanism 400. In this example, these operations are a series ofoperations for discharging the disks stored in the disk storingmechanism to the exterior of the disk device. First, as shown in FIG.80, disks are stored in the disk storing mechanism 400. At this time,the disk holding mechanism 200 does not hold any disk. Next, as shown inFIG. 81, the disk storing mechanism 400 operates to lower the diskheight and the disk holding mechanism 200 is drawn close to theperipheral edge portion of the disk. Next, as shown in FIG. 82, the diskholding mechanism 200 holds the peripheral edge portion of the disk. Atthis instant, the detecting switch 215 disposed within the holdingportion 211 detects the disk and issues a command to the microcomputer(not shown) so as to divide the disk storing mechanism 400. Next, asshown in FIG. 83, the disk storing mechanism 400 is divided inaccordance with the disk detection command and the holding arm 290 isturned downward, whereby the disk is held by only the holding portion211. Next, as shown in FIG. 84, the disk leaves the holding portion 211and is conveyed to the disk inlet. In this way a series of operationsare completed.

In the event a holding state of the inserted disk is not detected by theholding portion 211, such a state is as shown in FIGS. 85 and 86. FIG.85 shows a state in which a disk is inclined downward and is not held bythe holding portion 211 and FIG. 86 shows a state in which a disk isinclined upward and is not held by the holding portion 211. In thiscase, if a holding state of a disk by the disk holding portion is notdetected even after the lapse of a predetermined time or longer despitea disk having been conveyed, this state is regarded as an error and acontrol is made to discharge the disk and again insert the disk.

<Auxiliary Holding Portion>

FIG. 87 illustrates the structure of the auxiliary holding portion andFIG. 88 illustrates the details of a principal portion of FIG. 87. Thestructure of the auxiliary holding portion will be described withreference to FIGS. 87 and 88. Reference numeral 295 denotes an auxiliaryarm which is brought into abutment against the peripheral edge portionof a held disk to restrict the height and inclination of the disk at thetime of holding the disk in such a way that it is gripped by bothholding portion 211 and holding arm 290. The auxiliary arm 295 isprovided at a portion thereof with a pin 296, one end of which isattached to a first lever 297. Further, a second lever 298 supports oneend of the first lever 297 and is turnable in the direction of A or Babout a pivot shaft 298 a. A projecting portion 299 is formed downwardsat an opposite end of the second lever 298, as shown in FIG. 88.

Reference numeral 289 denotes a projecting portion formed at an oppositeend of the switching plate 285. With movement, in the direction of C orD, of the switching plate 285, the projecting portion formed on theswitching plate 285 comes into abutment against the projecting portion299 formed on the second lever 298. With this abutting force, theauxiliary arm 295 and the first and second levers 296, 297 which havebecome integral with one another move pivotally in the direction of A orB about the pivot shaft 298. In this case, when the projecting portion299 formed on the switching plate 285 abuts the projecting portion onthe second lever 298, that is, when the switching plate 285 moves in thedirection of C, the projecting portion 299 on the second lever 298undergoes an abutting force in the direction of C, so that the auxiliaryarm 295 and the first and second levers 296, 297 turn move pivotally inthe direction of B as an integral mass and the auxiliary arm 295 comesinto abutment against the peripheral edge portion of the disk. On theother hand, when the projecting portion 299 formed on the switchingplate 285 becomes disengaged from the projecting portion on the secondlever 298, that is, when the switching plate 285 moves in the directionof D, the abutting force of the projecting portion 299 on the secondlever 298 becomes extinct and the auxiliary arm 295 and the first andsecond levers 296 and 297 as an integral mass lose their urging force inthe direction of B and turn in the direction of A, whereby the auxiliaryarm 295 is disengaged from the peripheral edge portion of the disk.

A description is now directed to the operation. First, in a state beforea conveyed disk being set to the disk holding position, that is, whenthe disk is not held by the holding portion 211 and the holding arm 290,as shown in FIG. 87, the projecting portion 299 formed on the switchingplate 285 and the projecting portion formed on the second lever 298 arenot in abutment against each other, with no abutment against the disk.Next, at the time of setting the conveyed disk to the disk holdingposition, there is made adjustment of the disk holding height andinclination before the disk is held by both the holding portion 211 andholding arm 290. For this adjustment, as shown in FIG. 89, the switchingplate 285 moves in the direction of C, so that the projecting portion289 formed on the switching plate 285 comes into abutment against theprojecting portion on the second lever 298, the auxiliary arm 295 andthe first and second levers 296 and 297 as an integral mass turn in thedirection of B, and the auxiliary arm 295 is put in abutment against theperipheral edge portion of the disk, whereby the height and inclinationof the disk are delimited. The details of a principal portion in thestate of FIG. 89 are as shown in FIG. 90. Next, as shown in FIG. 91, thedisk is held by the holding portion 211 and the holding arm 290.Although the holding portion 211 is not shown in FIGS. 87 to 91, itsstructure is the same as that shown in FIG. 47. Now, a series ofoperations are completed.

Next, a description will be given below about the disk reproducingmechanism.

[4. Disk Reproducing Mechanism]

FIG. 92 is an entire structure diagram and FIG. 93 is an operating statetransition diagram showing a state of transition from the state of FIG.92 to the next operation.

The structure and operation of the disk reproducing mechanism 300 willbe described below with reference to FIGS. 92 and 93.

The disk reproducing mechanism 300 is divided into three constituentgroups: a disk reproducing section 310, a clamp section 320, and a locksection 330.

The disk reproducing section 310 is a mechanism for reproducing a diskand includes an optical pickup portion for reading a signal stored inthe disk, a feed mechanism for the pickup portion, and a turntable forresting the disk thereon. The clamp section 320 is a mechanism forclamping a disk when it is rested on the turntable. The lock section 330is a mechanism for keeping the disk reproducing mechanism in a floatingstate during reproduction of the disk and for canceling the floatingstate and fixing the disk reproducing mechanism.

The disk reproducing section 310 is provided with a turntable 311 forresting a disk thereon, an optical pickup portion 312 for readinginformation stored on the disk at the time of reproducing the disk, anda feed mechanism 313 for the pickup portion. The turntable 311 ismovable in the direction of A or B and rotatable in the direction of Cor D.

The clamp section 320, which is for clamping a disk, is provided with aclamp 321. On a surface of the clamp 321 which surface confronts a diskthere is formed a chucking portion (not shown) which supports a holeformed in the disk. The clamp section 320 is movable in the direction ofA or B and is rotatable in the direction of E or F. The clamp 320 andthe disk reproducing section 310 constitute an integral mechanism 350.This mechanism will hereinafter be referred to as a floating decksection 350.

In the lock section 330, a lock pin 331 is disengaged from a hole formedin a side face of the floating deck section 350 so as to let thefloating deck section float at the time of performing the reproducingoperation, while in a state other than the reproducing state thefloating deck section 350 is locked, with the lock pin 331 fitted in thehole formed in a side face of the floating deck section. This is for thepurpose of making the disk reproducing system employable in avibrational condition. That is, if vibration is exerted on thereproducing system and if the floating deck section 350 remains in alocked state, the pickup portion vibrates directly, so that there occursa sound skip. As a countermeasure, the floating deck section 350 isbrought into a floating state to avoid direct application of vibration.The details will be described later with reference to FIGS. 145 to 155.

The operation will now be described. As shown in FIG. 92, a disk is heldby both the holding portion 211 and holding arm 290. The reproducingoperation starts from this state. In this case, the vertical base 280including the holding portion 211 and the left and right arms 221, 222lies at a high position. Next, as shown in FIG. 93, the disk reproducingsection 310 turns in the direction of C and advances toward theunderside of the disk to be reproduced. This state is as shown in FIG.93. In this state, the vertical base 280 including the retaining portion211 and the left and right arms 221, 222 still occupies the highposition and the disk is held by both the holding portion 211 andholding arm 290. Next, when the disk reproducing section 310 turns up toa predetermined position as shown in FIG. 94, it moves in direction Aand the disk is set so that the axis thereof becomes coincident with thecenter of the turntable 311. In this state, the vertical base 280including the holding portion 211 and the left and right arms 221, 222still lies in the high position and the disk is held by both holdingportion 211 and holding arm 290. Next, as shown in FIG. 95, the heightof the vertical base 280 including the holding portion 211 and the leftand right arms 221, 222 is lowered and the disk held by both the holdingportion 211 and holding arm 290 is put onto the turntable 311. At thistime, the disk remains held by both the holding portion 211 and holdingarm 290. Next, as shown in FIG. 96, the clamp section 320 moves in thedirection of A and rotates in the direction of E so as to be set abovethe disk on the turntable 311. During this operation the disk continuesto be held by both the holding portion 211 and holding arm 290. Next, asshown in FIG. 97, a chucking portion of the clamp section 320 clamps thedisk so that a chucking portion of the clamp section 320 is fitted inthe hole, i.e., inside diameter, of the disk. With this operation, thedisk is gripped by both disk reproducing section 310 and the clampsection 320. The disk is held also by both the holding portion 211 andholding arm 290. Next, as shown in FIG. 98, the holding portion 211 andthe holding arm 290, which have so far held the disk, are disengagedfrom the disk, thus releasing the disk, and are stowed in apredetermined portion. At this time, the disk is gripped by only thedisk reproducing section 310 and the clamp section 320. Next, as shownin FIG. 99, the floating deck section 350 is moved in the direction of Band is set to the disk reproducing position. Next, as shown in FIG. 100,the lock section 330 cancels the locked state of the floating decksection 350, allowing the floating deck section to float, followed bystarting of the disk reproducing operation. Now, a series of operationsare completed. Next, the disk storing mechanism will be described below.

[5. Disk Stock Mechanism]

FIG. 101 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a principalportion of the disk storing mechanism, FIG. 102 is an exploded diagramof the disk storing mechanism disassembled into its components, FIG. 103is also an exploded diagram to components of the disk storing mechanism,and FIG. 118( a) to (d) illustrate operating states of a principalportion of the disk storing mechanism, of which (a) is a side view ofcomponents and (b) to (d) are top views of the components in FIG. 118(a).

A schematic structure of the disk storing mechanism 400 and the detailsof its components will be described below with reference to FIGS. 101and 102, respectively.

In FIG. 101, the disk storing mechanism, indicated at 400, is broadlydivided into four components: a first mandrel mechanism 4100 a part ofwhich is fixed to a ceiling portion of the housing 50 and which can berotated with a driving force of a drive source (to be described later),a second mandrel mechanism 4200 a part of which is fixed to a bottomportion of the housing 50 and which can be rotated with a driving forceof a drive source (to be described later), a third mandrel mechanism4300 into which is fitted the second mandrel mechanism and which ismovable in a rotary shaft direction in accordance with a rotationalmovement motion of the second mandrel mechanism 4200, and adoughnut-like disk supporting mechanism 4400 which is loosely fitted onthe first mandrel mechanism and third mandrel mechanism 4300 and whichhas a projecting portion formed on an inner peripheral portion thereof,the projecting portion being engageable with both a groove formed in thefirst mandrel mechanism 4100 and a groove formed in the third mandrelmechanism 4300. Further, there is provided a drive mechanism foroperating these four constituent mechanisms.

First, the disk supporting mechanism 4400 is structured so as to bemovable in a rotary shaft direction, i.e., vertically of the diskdevice, along the grooves formed in the first and third mandrelmechanisms 4100, 4300, respectively, in accordance with rotationalmovement motions of the first and third mandrel mechanisms. The disksupporting mechanism 4400 possesses a disk supporting function.

The first mandrel mechanism 4100 is connected at one end thereof to agear 4111 through a ceiling board. There is provided a first guidemember 4110 which is rotatable and which has three grooves 4112–4114formed in an outer peripheral edge portion thereof. A ring-likecompression spring 4120 is disposed in the interior 4115 of the firstguide member 4110. With this compression spring, the first guide member4110 is urged in the direction of A. The three grooves 4112–4114 areopen in the portion corresponding to an opposite end of the first guidemember 4110 in such a manner that these openings coincide with openingsof grooves formed in a second guide member (to be described later).

There is provided a first holder 4130 formed in a hollow shape andhaving an inner peripheral portion 4131 to guide the first guide member4110. The first guide member 4110 is held by the housing 50 by fixing apart of the first guide member to the ceiling board of the housing 50.In the first holder 4130 are formed three slits 4132–4134 axially atequal intervals. The slits 4132–4134 are open as indicated at 4132a–4134 a.

Further, three recesses 4135–4137 are formed at equal intervals in theperipheral edge portion of the opening side of the first holder 4130 andthree recesses 4115–4117 are formed at equal intervals in the peripheraledge portion of the opposite end face of the first guide member 4110.

As shown in FIG. 102, the second mandrel mechanism is made up of asecond holder 4210 one end of which is abutted against the bottom of thehousing 50 and whose interior is formed in a hollow shape, a shaftmember 4220 serving as a rotary shaft of a second guide member 4230 (tobe described later), the shaft member 4220 being received within thesecond holder 4210 and abutted at one end thereof against the bottom ofthe housing 50, a second guide member 4230 with the shaft member 4220 asa rotary shaft loosely fitted therein, the second guide member 4230having three spiral grooves 4231–4233 formed in an outer peripheralsurface thereof, a spring 4240 as a biasing member one end of which isabutted against an upper portion of the shaft member 4220, a projectingportion 4250 disposed on an opposite side of the spring 4240, theprojecting portion 4250 being connected from the shaft member 4220 to afitting portion formed on the underside of the first guide member 4110to guide a third guide member 4330 at the time of connection of thethird guide member 4330 to the first guide member 4110, and a screw 4260for preventing dislodgment of the second guide member 4230 from anopposite end of the shaft member 4220. The second guide member 4230 hassuch an appearance as shown in FIG. 108. FIG. 109 shows an appearance ofthe second guide member 4230 with both the spring 4240 and projectingportion 4250 disposed thereon.

When the shaft member 4220 is received within the third guide member4330, it is retained inside the third guide member 4330 and is therebyprevented from projecting upward. On the other hand, at the time ofconnecting the third guide member 4330 to the first guide member 4110,the shaft member 4220 rises while being disengaged from the third guidemember, and with the biasing force of the spring 4240, the shaft member4220 projects upward. Although the second guide member 4230 is screwedwith a screw 4260, it is rotatable about the shaft member 4220 as arotary shaft. The screw 4260 is formed with a retaining portion 4261 onthe side opposite to the screwing side. The retaining portion 4261engages the retaining portion of the disk reproducing mechanism 4000when turned to the reproducing position. An upwardly projecting portion4212 is formed on the bottom of the second holder 4210. The projectingportion 4212 includes three projecting portions 4212, the threeprojecting portions being formed near an outer peripheral portion of acylindrical shape so as to define a regular triangle centered on anaxis, as shown in FIG. 113. When a disk is supported at the loweststage, as shown in FIG. 114, an inner peripheral portion of the disk isbrought into abutment against the projecting portion 4212, therebysupporting the disk against tilting or rocking. For example at the timeof replacing a disk, as shown in FIG. 114(1), the third guide member4330 takes up its raised position, while when storing a disk, in orderto support the disk more firmly, the third guide member 4330 is broughtdown, allowing the underside of the disk lying at the lowest stage toabut the upper surfaces of the projecting portions 4212.

The second guide member 4230 has a gear 4234 at an end portion locatedon the bottom side of the housing 50, the gear 4234 being interlockedwith a transfer mechanism of the disk loading/unloading mechanism 100(not shown). In the second holder 4210 are formed six slits 4211–4216axially at equal intervals.

The third mandrel mechanism 4300 includes a third holder 4301. The thirdholder 4301 is formed in a hollow shape and three projecting portions4302–4304 are formed at equal intervals on an inner peripheral edgeportion of the third holder. On an outer peripheral edge portion of thethird holder 4301 are formed three guide portions 4305–4307 axially atequal intervals and are further formed three slits 4308–4310 axially atequal intervals. The slits 4214–4216 of the second holder 4210 guide theguide portions 4305–4307 of the third holder 4301, causing the thirdholder 4301 to move in the rotary shaft direction.

The third holder 4301 has three projecting portions 4311–4313 formed atequal intervals on an end portion thereof located on the ceiling boardside of the housing 50. When the third holder 4301 moves in the rotaryshaft direction, the projecting portions 4311–4313 come into engagementin the recesses 4135–4137, respectively, of the first holder 4130.Further, pawl portions 4302–4304 are formed as cutout portions in partof the outer peripheral surface of the third holder 4301. The projectingportions 4301–4304 formed on the inner peripheral edge portion of thethird holder 4301 are slidably engaged in the grooves 4231–4233 of thesecond guide member 4230, permitting the third holder 4301 to move inthe rotary shaft direction in interlock with the rotational movementmotion of the second guide member.

Further, there is provided a third guide member 4330 which is looselyfitted in the interior of the third holder 4301 and which has aconcentric groove 4331 and spiral grooves 4332–4234 formed in an outerperipheral surface thereof. End portions of the spiral grooves 4332–4334of the third guide member 4330, located on the ceiling side of thehousing, are open so that these openings are connected to the openingsof the spiral grooves 4112–4114 of the first guide member 4110 when thethird mandrel mechanism 4300 and the first mandrel mechanism 4100 arecoupled together. The third mandrel mechanism 4300 is formed in a hollowshape so that the second guide member 4230 is loosely fitted in theinterior thereof and so that the third mandrel mechanism 4300 moves inthe rotary shaft direction in accordance with rotational movement of thesecond guide member 4230.

The pawl portions 4314˜4316 formed on the third holder 4301 partiallyextend toward the interior and their tips are abutted against, orengaged in, the concentric grooves 4331 formed in the third guide member4330. With this structure, the third guide member 4330 is kept rotatablewhile being prevented from coming off the third holder 4301. Further,three projecting portions projecting toward the ceiling surface areformed on an end portion of the third holder 4330 located on the ceilingside of the housing 50.

When in accordance with rotational movement of the second guide member4230 the third guide member 4330 moves to the ceiling side of thehousing in the rotary shaft direction together with the third holder,the projecting portions 4335–4337 of the third guide member are fittedin and connected to the recesses 4135–4137 formed in the first guidemember 4110. When the first and third guide members 4110, 4330 arecoupled together, the rotational movement of the gear 4234 formed on thesecond guide member 4230 is stopped, while the gear 4111 fitted on thefirst guide member 4110 is allowed to rotate. In this case, the firstand third guide members 4110, 4330 become integral with each other androtate in this integral state, with no movement in the rotary shaftdirection.

When the disk is to be stored in the disk storing mechanism 400, thethird guide member is once brought down and the holding portion 211 andthe holding arm 290 hold the disk at a position between the first andthird guide members 4110, 4330. Thereafter, the holding portion 211 andthe holding arm 290 rise and push the held disk so that the uppersurface of the disk comes into abutment against a first support portion4411 located at the top stage. In this pushed state of the disk thethird guide member 4330 is raised for connection of the first and thirdguide members 4110, 4330 with each other, whereby the disk can bemaintained in a firmly holding state.

The disk supporting mechanism 4400 has a flat, first support portion4411 on the side thereof opposed to the disk to support a part of theinner peripheral portion of the disk in abutting manner. A portion ofthe first support portion 4411 located near an inner peripheral edgethereof is formed somewhat larger in wall thickness (second supportportion 4412) and a first spacer 4410 for fitting thereon of the insidediameter of the disk is formed in the second support portion 4412. Thefirst spacer 4410 is internally formed with three projecting portions4413–4415 at equal intervals so that they can be slidably fitted in thegrooves 4112–4114 of the first guide member 4110 and the grooves4332–4334 of the third guide member. In accordance with rotationalmovement of the first and third guide members 4110, 4330 the firstspacer 4410 moves in the rotary shaft direction in such a manner that aflat portion thereof becomes nearly perpendicular to the rotary shaft.

Reference numeral 4420 denotes a first plate spring which is fixed tothe first support portion 4411 on the side opposite to the disk abuttedand supported side. The first plate spring 4420 has a diameter largerthan that of the first spacer 4410. Its outer peripheral edge portion ispartially extended in the rotary shaft direction; in this embodimentfour extending portions 4421–4424 extend downward of the disk device atequal intervals. The extending portions 4421–4424 possess a urging forcedownward of the disk device.

In FIG. 102 there are illustrated only the first spacer 4410 and thefirst plate spring 4420, but the structure of this embodiment permitssix disks to be stored and six spacers and six plate springs areprovided correspondingly to the six disks (the structure of the otherspacers and plate springs are the same as those of the first spacer 4410and the first plate spring 4420, and the first to sixth spacers and thefirst to sixth plate springs being respectively arranged in order fromabove to below of the disk device). That is, they are arranged asfollows from above to below of the disk device:

-   -   {circle around (1)} upper presser member (top stage), {circle        around (2)} plate spring, {circle around (3)} first spacer,        {circle around (4)} first plate spring, {circle around (5)}        second spacer, {circle around (6)} second plate spring, {circle        around (7)} third spacer, {circle around (8)} third plate        spring, {circle around (9)} fourth spacer, {circle around (10)}        fourth plate spring, {circle around (11)} fifth spacer, {circle        around (12)} fifth plate spring, {circle around (13)} sixth        spacer, {circle around (14)} sixth plate spring (bottom stage)

The support mechanism 4400 includes a plate spring (not shown, but thesame as the first plate spacer 4410) which is fixed thereto and disposedabove the first spacer 4410. The plate spring presses down the disk inan abutting manner. This plate spring and the first support portion 4411of the first spacer 4410 constitute an upper presser member 4430 forgripping the disk. Like the first spacer 4410 and the first plate spring4420, the upper presser member 4430 is also formed with a hole nearlycentrally, and three projecting portions 4432–4434 are formed at equalintervals on an inner peripheral edge portion of the nearly centralhole. Also in the upper presser member 4430, like the first spacer 4410,the projecting portions 4432–4434 can slidably be fitted in the grooves4112–4114 of the first guide member 4110 and the grooves 4332˜4334 ofthe third guide member. In accordance with rotational movement of thefirst guide member and the third guide member the upper presser member4430 move in the rotary shaft direction.

When a spacer supports a disk, the plate spring positioned just abovethe spacer pushes the disk to the spacer side (for example, if the diskis on the third spacer, the immediately overlying second plate springurges the disk to the third spacer), so that the disk is supported(held) more firmly.

The extending portions 4421˜4424 of the first plate spring 4420 allextend in the same direction. In FIG. 102, they extend from the right tothe left side. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 112, the plate springs areformed so that an intersecting point of their diagonal lines opposedeach other with respect to the shaft portion becomes an axis. Such ashape is desirable because the center of gravity becomes stable.

An appearance of the mechanism disposed in the lower portion of the diskdevice is as shown in FIGS. 104 and 105. FIG. 104 shows a state in whichthe third guide member 4230 is received within the second holder 4210and FIG. 105 shows a state in which the third guide member projectsupward from the second holder 4210 and the projecting portion 4250projects upward. FIG. 106 is an enlarged diagram of a principal portionin which the first mandrel mechanism 4100 is seen from the state shownin FIG. 105. FIG. 107 is a state transition diagram showing a statetransition in which the projecting portion 4250 is connected to thefirst guide member 4110. More specifically, FIG. 107(1) shows a state inwhich the third guide member 4230 is received within the second holder4210. Upon receipt of a command for storing or replacing a disk, achange is made to the state of FIG. 107(2), in which the shaft member4220 rotates and the third guide member 4230 begins to rise, then inresponse to this motion the projecting portion 4250 becomes disengagedfrom the third guide member 4230 and projects upward under the biasingforce of the spring 4240. Further, as shown in FIG. 107(3), the shaftmember 4220 rotates, third guide member 4230 rises, and the projectingportion 4250 is fitted in the fitting portion formed in the underside ofthe first guide member 4110. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 107(4), thethird guide member 4230 further rises for connection with the firstguide member 4110. As shown in FIG. 110(1), when the disk storingmechanism 400 is to store a conveyed disk, the disk is held by the diskholding mechanism 200. Next, as shown in FIG. 110(2), the disk holdingmechanism is raised, causing the held disk to be urged upward andabutted against the support mechanism 4400 located at the top stage.Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 110(3), the third guide member 4330 israised into abutment against the first guide member 4110. When the diskstored at the second stage from the top is to be taken out from the diskstoring mechanism, as shown in FIG. 111(1) and (2), the disk concernedis raised up to a predetermined position by the disk storing mechanism,then, as shown in FIG. 111(3), the second disk is held by the diskholding mechanism 200, and thereafter, as shown in FIG. 111(4), thethird guide member 433 is brought down while the disk remains held bythe disk holding mechanism 200. Thus, in the disk storing mechanism 400,when the third guide member 4330 is to be connected to the first guidemember 4110, the third guide member 4330 is raised while being pushedagainst the support mechanism located at the top stage and is broughtinto connection with the first guide member 4110. On the other hand,when taking out a disk from the disk storing mechanism 400, the diskstoring mechanism 400 lifts the disk up to the height where the diskholding mechanism 200 is normally positioned, then the disk is taken outin a holding state.

The drive mechanism will now be described with reference to FIGS. 115 to117. FIG. 115 illustrates the structure of a principal portion includingthe drive mechanism which actuates the disk storing mechanism, FIG. 116illustrates the structure of a principal portion in FIG. 115, and FIG.117 illustrates the structure of the back side of a principal portionshown in FIG. 115.

In these figures, reference numeral 245 denotes a switching plateattached to the back of the first cam plate 240. When an abutmentportion 501 a formed on a first lever 501 to be described later is notin abutment against the switching plate 245, the switching plate is setin a first operation mode as a normal mode (an operation mode in whichthe reproducing operation is performed after disk insertion). In a firstoperation mode, the disk holding mechanism 200 holds the conveyed diskand the height of the disk holding mechanism is maintained at its normalposition in all of disk stand-by state, disk holding state and diskreproducing state for reproducing the held disk, that is, only theoperation for stowing the disk holding mechanism is performed. On theother hand, upon abutment of the abutment portion 501 a against thefirst lever 501, there is set either an operation mode in which theconveyed disk is stored in the disk storing mechanism 400 or anoperation mode for replacing a disk which has been stored in the diskstoring mechanism 400, that is, a second operation mode is set. In thissecond operation mode, when a disk is to be stored, the disk holdingmechanism 200 is raised into abutment against the disk supportingmechanism 4400 while allowing the disk holding operation of the diskholding mechanism 200 to be continued. In this second operation mode,therefore, it is necessary to perform an operation for stowing the diskholding mechanism 200 while keeping high the position of the diskholding mechanism 200. In this setting, the disk storing mechanism 400is structured so as to be divided up and down and a spacer for abutmentagainst a disk is disposed at the lower end of the upper mandrelmechanism, i.e., at the portion of abutment against the lower mandrelmechanism. Therefore, if the height of the disk conveyance path is setat the height where the space is disposed, there occurs a problem withdirect abutment and damage of the disk. For solving this problem it isnecessary that the height of the disk conveyance path and the diskstoring height be made different from each other.

The first lever 501 is formed at one end thereof with the abutmentportion 501 a for abutment against a part of the plate 245 attached tothe back of the first cam plate 240 and is turnable about a shaftportion 501 b, with a pin 501 c being formed at an opposite end of thefirst lever 501. With a pivoting motion of the first lever 501, the diskholding mechanism 200 is operated in the first operation mode withoutabutment of the abutment portion 501 a against the switching plate 245or is operated in the second operation mode with abutment of theabutment portion 501 a against the switching plate 245. Referencenumeral 502 denotes a first gear formed with a groove 502 a for slidablefitting therein of the pin 501 c of the first lever 501, 503 denotes asecond gear meshing with the first gear 502, and 504 denotes a thirdgear meshing with the second gear 503, the third gear 504 being engagedwith the shaft member 4220 of the disk storing mechanism 400. Referencenumeral 505 denotes a plate engaged with the first gear 502. The plate505 is partially formed with an abutment portion for abutment against aswitch. According to this structure, when the first cam plate 240 ismoved in the direction of A, the plate 245 attached to the first camplate 240 comes into abutment against the abutment portion 501 a androtates. With this rotational movement, the first, second and thirdgears 502, 503, 504 also rotate in an interlocking manner and the shaftmember 4220 meshing with the third gear 504 rotates and actuates thedisk storing mechanism. The plate 505 also rotates with the rotationalmovement of the first gear 502.

Reference numeral 510 denotes a fourth cam plate disposed on the leftside face of the housing. The fourth cam plate is linked at one endthereof to the second cam plate 250 through a link portion (not shown)and holds at an opposite end thereof a part of the holding arm 290 so asto permit vertical movement of the holding arm. According to thisstructure, the fourth cam plate 510 also moves in interlock with themovement of the second cam plate 250, and with this moving force theholding arm 290 is moved so as to be set high or low.

Reference numeral 521 denotes a fourth gear meshing with the gearportion 237 mounted on the second shaft 234. The fourth gear 521 rotatesin response to the movement of the second cam plate 250. Referencenumeral 522 denotes a link plate meshing at one end thereof with thefourth gear 521. An opposite end of the link plate 522 is in mesh with afifth gear 523, which in turn is in mesh with a sixth gear (not shown)abutted against the shaft portion 291 of the holding arm 290. Accordingto this structure, the holding arm 290 rotates through the fourth gear521 and the link portion 522 in synchronization with movement of thesecond cam plate 250. Therefore, the rotating motions and heightrestricting motions of the holding portion 211 and the holding arm 290in the disk holding mechanism can be synchronized with each other,whereby the holding of a disk and the release of the holding state canbe done accurately.

The operation of the drive mechanism 500 will now be described. First,the state in which a disk is set in the reproducing position (the statein which reproduction is not performed) is as shown in FIG. 115. In thisstate, the disk is held by both the holding portion 211 and holding arm290. In this connection, the details of an upper surface of a principalportion and of a lower surface thereof are as shown in FIGS. 116 and117, respectively. In the disk storing mechanism 400, the first guidemember 4110 and the third guide member 4330 are in a divided state fromeach other. Next, as shown in FIG. 118, the disk holding mechanism 200is raised and the third guide member 4330 is projected upward to movethe second cam plate 250 in the direction of A for connection with thefirst guide member 4110, so that the fourth gear 521 rotates in thedirection of B. With this rotational movement, the link plate 522 turnsin the direction of C, causing the fifth gear 523 to rotate in thedirection of D, with the result that the holding arm 290 rotates in thedirection of E to release the disk from its holding state. Since thefirst cam plate 240 also moves in the direction of A together with themovement of the second cam plate 250, the holding portion 211 is stowedin the vertical base 280. In this case, the details of the upper surfaceof the principal portion and of the lower surface thereof are as shownin FIGS. 119 and 120, respectively. Next, as shown in FIG. 121, theheight of the disk is set by a motion of the disk storing mechanism 400.Also in this case both the holding portion 211 and holding arm 290continue to release the disk from its holding state. When thereproduction or replacement of a disk is to be performed, as shown inFIG. 122, in order to hold the disk concerned, both the holding portion21 and holding arm 290 hold the peripheral edge portion of the disk atthe height of the disk. In this case, the details of the upper surfaceof the principal portion and of the lower surface thereof are as shownin FIGS. 123 and 124, respectively. Next, as shown in FIG. 125, fordisengaging the disk from the disk storing mechanism, the third guidemember 4330 is brought down while allowing the peripheral edge portionof the disk to be held by both the holding portion 211 and holding arm290, to release the disk from its holding state in the disk storingmechanism. In this case, the details of the upper surface of theprincipal portion and of the lower surface thereof are as shown in FIGS.126 and 127, respectively. A principal portion of FIG. 127 is as shownin FIG. 128.

Next, in connection with the operation of the disk storing mechanism,the principle of changing the disk height will now be described withreference to FIGS. 129 to 135. These diagrams are developed diagrams inthe rotary shaft direction and are explanatory of grooves formed in thefirst and third mandrel mechanisms 4100, 4300. An explanation will herebe given with reference to FIGS. 131 and 134. FIG. 131 shows a state inwhich the first and third guide members 4110, 4330 are separated fromeach other and FIG. 134 shows a state in which the first and third guidemembers 4110, 4330 are connected to each other. The separated state ofboth the guide members 4110 and 4330 shown in FIG. 131 is set in thecase of performing the disk loading/unloading operation or the diskreproducing operation (the disk is held by the disk holding mechanism).The connected state of both guide members 4110 and 4330 shown in FIG.134 is set in case of changing the height of the disks stored in thedisk storing mechanism. In the first guide member 4110, as shown in FIG.131, projecting portions on the upper pressing portion and the first andsecond spacers are loosely fitted in grooves respectively (the ● markindicates the position of each projecting portion). Likewise, in thethird guide member 4330, projecting portions formed on the third,fourth, fifth and sixth spacers are loosely fitted in groovesrespectively. As to the clearance between adjacent grooves, it is asshown in the figure. In FIG. 134 it is shown that the third disk R isthe disk concerned, and there also are illustrated projecting portions4551, 4552, and 4553 of the third spacer which supports the third diskR. This structure is for the following purpose, when the disk holdingmechanism 200 holds an instructed disk from among the disks stored inthe disk storing mechanism 400, it gets in between the disk R to be heldand the disk adjacent thereto, so the disk holding mechanism 200 shouldbe prevented from contacting the adjacent disk.

In the figure, three grooves are formed in each of the first and thirdguide members 4110, 4330. More specifically, grooves 4112, 4113, and4114 are formed in the first guide member 4110, while grooves 4332,4333, and 4334 are formed in the third guide member 4330. These groovesare all of the same shape and are formed with a phase difference of120°. This means that upon 1200 rotational movement of the disk storingmechanism 400 there is performed either an operation of raising the diskheight by one stage or an operation of lowering the disk height by onestage. In the grooves of the first guide member 4110, as shown in FIGS.131 and 134, a right end of a first groove portion 4112 a is connectedto a left end of a first groove portion 4112 b, while a right end of thefirst groove 4112 b is connected to a left end of a first groove 4112 c,forming a single groove. Also as to second groove portions 4313 a–4313 cand third groove portions 4314 a–4314 c, they are of the same structureas the first groove portions 4112 a–4112 c, so an explanation thereofwill here be omitted. Also as to the grooves 4332, 4333, and 4334 of thethird guide member 4330, an explanation thereof will here be omittedbecause they are of the same structure as the first groove portion 4112a of the first guide member 4110.

The state shown in FIG. 134 is set from the state shown in FIG. 131.That is, after the first and third guide members 4110, 4330 are broughtinto a connected state from a separated state, then are rotated apredetermined angle in a direction to raise the disk R concerned by onestage (it follows that the first and third guide members are rotatedcounterclockwise) and are set in the position shown in FIG. 134. In thiscase, the third guide member 4330 rises while the disk holding mechanism200 presses the first and second spacers. The thus-raised state is thestate shown in FIG. 134.

The projecting portions 4302, 4303, and 4304 of the third holder 4301located within the grooves 4231, 4232, and 4233 of the second guidemember 4230 possess the function of holding the third guide member in arotatable manner, and with rotational movement of the second guidemember 4230, they move from the position shown in FIG. 131 to theposition shown in FIG. 134 (in the position shown in FIG. 131 the secondguide member 4230 is loosely fitted completely in the interior of thethird guide member 4330).

As noted above, the loosely fitted positions of the projecting portionsformed on the spacers in separating the first and third guide members4110, 4330 from each other is as shown in FIG. 131, while the looselyfitted position of the projecting portions in coupling both guidemembers and allowing the to-be-operated disk to be held and retracted bythe disk holding mechanism 200 is as shown in FIG. 134.

That is, in coupling the first and third guide members 4110, 4330 andmaking the to-be-operated disk selectable, first the operation isperformed to take the position shown in FIG. 134 and thereafter theto-be-operated disk is set to the position of disk R. With thisoperation, the plate spring attached to the spacer on which the diskimmediately overlying the disk R as the disk to be operated pushes thedisk R downward, whereby the disk R held firmly without shaking, thusfacilitating the holding operation of the holding mechanism 200 for thedisk R.

On the other hand, in separating the first and third guide members 4110,4330 from each other, the disk immediately overlying the disk R in thecoupled state is moved from the groove portions in the third guidemember 4330 to the groove portions in the first guide member 4110.

FIG. 129 shows a state in which the first disk has been inserted andconveyed up to the disk storing position. In this state, the diskstoring mechanism is divided into upper and lower mechanisms. FIG. 130shows a state in which the third disk has been inserted and conveyed upto the disk storing position. Also in this state, like FIG. 129, thedisk storing mechanism is divided into upper and lower mechanisms. InFIG. 131, the disk holding mechanism 200 holds the third disk and bringsit into abutment under pressure against an upper support member. In thisexample, the third disk is lifted upward into abutment against thesecond support member. In FIG. 132, for storing the third disk, thethird guide member 4330 is raised while the disk holding mechanism 200pushes the third disk to an upper portion, i.e., the second spacer. Atthis instant, the projecting portion 4250 projects upward. In FIG. 133,when connecting the third guide member 4330 to the first guide member4110, first the projecting portion 4250 is abutted in the fittingportion of the first guide member 4110, whereby a guide is made toconnect the third guide member 4330 with the first guide member 4110.Next, as shown in FIG. 134, the third guide member 4330 is connected tothe first guide member 4110. Now, the disk storing operation iscompleted. FIG. 135 shows a state in which the sixth disk is selectedand is lifted up to a predetermined height where the disk is held by thedisk holding mechanism 200. The following description is now providedabout structure and operations of the other mechanisms referred toabove.

<7-1. Operation Mode Setting Mechanism for Disk Stock Mechanism>

FIG. 136 is a structure diagram showing the structure of a drivemechanism 600 which generates a drive force for moving the second camplate 250 in the disk holding mechanism 200 (shown in FIG. 47) in thedirection of A or B, FIG. 137 is a structure diagram showing thestructure of a principal portion of the drive mechanism 600 illustratedin FIG. 136, and FIG. 138 is a structure diagram showing the structureof a principal portion of the drive mechanism 600 illustrated in FIG.136.

In these figures, reference numeral 601 denotes a drive motor whichgenerates a drive force for moving the second cam plate 250, in thedirection of A or B, in the disk holding mechanism 200 shown in FIG. 47,602 denotes a gear train composed of a plurality of gears of differentdiameters, the gear train 601 meshing with a gear 601 a mounted to thedrive motor 601 to transmit the drive force of the drive motor as arotational movement motion, and 610 denotes a cam gear mechanism meshingwith the gear train 602 and adapted to rotate in accordance with therotational movement of the gear train 602. The cam gear mechanism 610 isstructured as shown in FIG. 137. Reference numeral 611 denotes a camgear, the cam gear 611 having a meshing portion formed on its outerperipheral edge portion for mesh with a meshing portion of the geartrain 602. The cam gear 611 rotates in interlock with the rotationalmovement of the gear train 602. The cam gear 611 includes a first hole6111 serving as a rotational movement center in which is fitted a shaftportion 6214, the shaft portion 6214 being slidably fitted in a groove6213 formed in a lever 621, a cam groove 6112 in which is slidablyfitted a fourth pin 6212 provided on the lever 621, a second hole 6113in which is slidably fitted a second pin 6132 provided on a cam lever613, a third hole 6114 in which a first pin 6131 provided on the camlever 613 is fixedly fitted and which serves as an axis of a pivotalmotion of the cam lever 613, and a spring retaining portion 6115 foranchoring one end of a spring 614 an opposite end of which is anchoredto a tip end of the cam lever 613. Reference numeral 612 denotes a camplate. The cam plate 612 includes a fifth hole 6121 serving as arotational movement center in which is fitted the shaft portion 6214,the shaft portion 6213 being slidably fitted in the groove 6213 formedin the lever 621, a cam groove 6122 in which is slidably fitted thefourth pin 6212 provided on the lever 621, a groove 6123 in which isslidably fitted the second pin 6132 provided on the cam lever 613, and arecess 6124 in which is fitted and retained a first bent portion 6221formed on a lock plate 622. Reference numeral 613 denotes a cam lever.The cam lever 613 is provided with a first pin 6131 which is fitted andfixed into the third hole 6114 formed in the cam gear 611, a second pin6132 which is slidably fitted in the second hole 6113 formed in the camgear 611 and which is also slidably fitted, above the second hole 6113,into the groove 6123 formed in the cam plate 612, a third pin 6133against which an upper surface of a second bent portion 6222 formed onthe lock plate comes into abutment with movement of the lock plate 622to move the cam lever, and a retaining portion 6134 to which one end ofa spring 614 is anchored, an opposite end of the spring 614 beinganchored to the retaining portion 6115 formed on the cam gear 611. Withthe biasing force of the spring 614, the second pin 6132 provided on thecam lever 613 is urged constantly toward an outer periphery side of thesecond hole 6113 formed in the cam gear 611, i.e., toward an outerperiphery side of the cam gear 611.

Reference numeral 621 denotes a lever which rotates about a pivot shaft6211. The lever 621 is provided with the pivot shaft 6211, the fourthpin 6212 which is slidably fitted in the second cam groove 6112 formedin the cam gear 611 and which is also slidably fitted, above the firstcam groove 6112, into the second cam groove 6122 formed in the cam plate612, the shaft portion 6214 which is disposed slidably within the groove6213 and which is fitted in the first hole 6111 formed in the cam gear611 and further fitted, above the first hole 6111, into the fifth hole6121 formed in the cam plate 612, and a link pin 6215 provided at anopposite end of the lever 621, the link pin 6215 being fitted in thehole 251 formed in the second cam plate 250.

The lock plate 622 makes the disk reproducing mechanism 300 float in thedisk reproducing operation, while it locks the disk reproducingmechanism 300 in operations other than the disk reproducing operation.The lock plate 622 is provided with the first bent portion 6221 whichcomes into abutment against the upper surface of the third pin 6133provided on the cam lever 613, the second bent portion 6222 which isfitted into the recess 6124 formed in the cam plate 612 to fix therotating motion of the cam plate 612, that is, make the cam plate 612non-rotatable, and the groove 6223 for slidable fitting therein of thefirst pin 6231 provided on the first lever 623. The lever 623 isprovided with a second pin 6232 which is slidably fitted in a groove6242 formed in the lock plate 6223 and a pivot shaft 6233. Referencenumeral 624 denotes a gear portion. The gear portion 624 is formed witha hole 6241 in which the pivot shaft is fitted and a groove 6242 inwhich the second pin 6232 formed on the lever 623 is fitted slidably.FIG. 138( a) is a rear side view of the cam lever 613, cam gear 611 andcam plate 612 as assembled and FIG. 138( b) is a structure diagramshowing a mechanism which is linked to the lock plate 622.

Reference will now be made to the operation. FIG. 136 shows a diskinsertion stand-by state, FIG. 139( a) illustrates the state of aprincipal portion as seen from the cam plate 612 side which is in thestate of FIG. 136, and FIG. 139( b) illustrates the state of theprincipal portion as seen from the cam lever 613 side which is in thestate of FIG. 136, i.e., from the back side. In this state, both firstand second bent portions 6221, 6222 of the lock plate 622 are unlockedfrom the cam plate 612 and cam lever 613. Consequently, the fourth pin6212 formed on the lever 621 urges the outer periphery side of thegroove 6123 formed in the cam plate 612, so that the cam plate 612rotates simultaneously with the cam gear 611. Next, in the firstoperation mode (a disk conveyance stand-by state, with the disk storingmechanism 400 being in a divided state), as shown in FIG. 140, the stateshown in FIG. 136 remains intact, that is, both first and second bentportions 6221, 6222 of the lock plate 622 are unlocked from the camplate 612 and the cam lever 613, so that the fourth pin 6212 provided onthe lever 621 urges against the outer periphery side of the groove 6123formed in the cam plate 612. Therefore, with the cam plate 612 rotatingsimultaneously with the cam gear 611, the drive motor 601 operates inaccordance with disk conveyance, causing the gear train 602 and the camgear 611 to rotate. Accordingly, the cam plate 612 rotatessimultaneously with the cam gear 611. Further, in interlock with therotational movement motions of the cam gear 611 and cam plate 612 thelever 621 moves in the direction of A. With this movement, the secondcam plate 250 is moved in the direction of B. Next, in the secondoperation mode (the disk reproducing or holding operation mode, with thedisk storing mechanism 400 being in a divided state), as shown in FIG.141, the first bent portion 6221 of the lock plate 622 locks the recessformed in the cam plate 612 and a slant face of the second bent portion6222 of the lock plate 622 comes into abutment against the third pin6133 provided on the cam gear 611, causing the cam lever 613 to turnclockwise. With this rotational movement of the cam lever 613, thesecond pin 6132 is urged to the inside of the second hole 6113 formed inthe cam gear 611, i.e., to the central side of the cam gear 611, and inthe cam plate 612, is urged to the inside of the groove 6123, i.e., tothe central side of the cam plate 612, and is put in abutment againsttheir inner wall surfaces. As a result, the second pin 6132 moves alongthe central-side wall surface of the groove 6123 formed in the cam plate612 and thus an operation mode different from the first operation modeis carried out. FIG. 142( a) illustrates the state of a principalportion as seen from the cam plate 612 side which is in the state ofFIG. 141 and FIG. 142( b) illustrates the state of the principal portionas seen from the cam lever 613 side which is in the state shown in FIG.141, i.e., from the back side. Next, in the third operation mode (a modeof changing from one disk to another stored in the disk storingmechanism 400, with the disk storing mechanism being connected), asshown in FIG. 143, the first bent portion 6221 of the lock plate 622locks the recess formed in the cam plate 612, but the abutment betweenthe slant face of the second bent portion 6222 of the lock plate 622 andthe third pin 6133 formed on the cam gear 611 is cancelled. Thus, sinceonly the cam plate 612 is locked, only the cam gear 611 is rotatedwithout rotational movement of the cam plate 612. Further, in thisstate, since the cam plate 612 is locked, the fourth pin 6212 formed onthe lever 621 does not move and hence the lever 621 remains fixed. FIG.144( a) illustrates the state of a principal portion as seen from thecam plate 612 side which is in the state shown in FIG. 143 and FIG. 144(b) illustrates the state of the principal portion as seen from the camlever 613 side which is in the state shown in FIG. 143, i.e., from theback side.

Such a structure permits a plurality of operation modes to be set usingexisting mechanisms.

<Operation Mode Detecting Mechanism utilizing Lock Mechanism for DiskReproducing Mechanism>

FIG. 145 is a structure diagram showing a relation between the lockingmechanism 330 for locking or unlocking the disk reproducing mechanism300 and a switch mechanism 700 which turns a switch ON or OFF inaccordance with movement of the locking mechanism 330, and FIG. 146 is astructure diagram of a principal portion with the floating deck section350 removed from the mechanism shown in FIG. 145. Structure andoperation will now be described with reference to these figures. As tothe same mechanisms as in FIG. 136, they will be identified by likereference numerals and explanations thereof will here be omitted.Reference numeral 701 denotes a cam which performs a rotational movementmotion with the drive force of the drive motor 601 transmitted theretothrough the gear train 602 and the cam gear portion 610. The cam 701 isformed with a groove 7011, for slidable fit therein, of a first pin 7021formed on a first lock plate 702. The first lock plate 702 is providedwith the first pin 7021 which is slidably fitted in the groove 7011formed in the cam 701 in accordance with a rotational movement motion ofthe cam 701 and is partially provided with a meshing portion 7022 formesh with the gear link 703. The gear link 703, which meshes with themeshing portion 7022 formed on the first lock plate 702, is also in meshwith a meshing portion 7041 formed on a second lock plate 704. Accordingto this structure, when the first lock plate 702 moves through the gearlink 703, the second lock plate 704 also moves. Reference numeral 705denotes a first lock portion formed at part of the first lock plate 702to lock the disk reproducing mechanism 300. Reference numeral 706denotes a second lock portion formed at part of the second lock plate704 to lock the disk reproducing mechanism. Reference numeral 707denotes a third lock portion formed at part of the first lock plate 702to lock the disk reproducing mechanism 300. Reference numeral 708denotes a third lock plate which is partially engaged in a recess formedin part of the first lock plate 702. When the first lock plate 702moves, the third lock plate 708 moves simultaneously with and in thesame direction as the movement of the first lock plate. Referencenumeral 709 denotes a lock link provided at part of the third lock plate708. Reference numeral 710 denotes a fourth lock portion formed at partof the third lock plate 708 to lock the disk reproducing mechanism 300.Reference numerals 711 and 712 denote first and second switches,respectively, which are provided for judging an operating state of thedisk device. Upon abutment against a retaining portion 7024 formed onthe first lock plate 702 the first and second switches 711, 712 turn ON,while upon cancellation of the abutted state both switches turn OFF.Likewise, upon movement of the first lock plate 702 in the direction ofA the first switch 711 turns ON, while upon movement of the first lockplate 702 in the direction of B the first switch 711 turns OFF.

A description will now be given of the operation. FIGS. 145 and 146illustrate a state in which the floating deck section 350 is locked bythe first to fourth lock portions 705–710. That is, both figuresillustrate an operation other than the disk reproducing operation, e.g.,a disk stand-by state or a disk replacing state. At this time, bothfirst and second switches 711, 712 are OFF because they are not inabutment against the retaining portion 7124 of the first lock plate 702.FIG. 147 is a detailed diagram of a principal portion, showing the firstlock plate 702 which is in this state and FIG. 148 is a right-hand sideview. Next, for reproducing the disk, the floating deck section 350 isreleased from its locked state. More specifically, the cam 701 isrotated by the drive motor 601 through the gear train 602 and cam gearportion 610, and interlocking with this rotational movement the firstlock plate 705 moves in the direction of A, the gear link 703 rotates,the second lock plate 704 moves in the direction of B to unlock thesecond lock portion 706, further, the third lock plate 708, which isinterlocked with the movement of the first lock plate 702, also moves inthe direction of A and the lock link 709 rotates, whereby the floatingdeck section 350 is unlocked. This state is reached through the stateshown in FIG. 149. In FIG. 149, the first lock plate is in a slightlymoved state in the direction of A. In this state, the first switch 711is ON, while the second switch 712 remains OFF. In connection with thelocked state of the floating deck section 350, the first, second andthird lock portions 705, 706, 707 continue to lock in directions otherthan the directions of A and B and are unlocked in only the directionsof A and B. That is, the floating deck section 350 swings in only thedirections of A and B. However, since the fourth lock portion 710 locksin the directions of A and B, a locked state is continued in alldirections. FIG. 150 is a right-hand side view in this state. Next, whenthe drive motor 601 turns ON and the first lock plate further moves inthe direction of A, as shown in FIG. 151, the spacing between the firstand second lock portions 705, 706 becomes shorter and the floating decksection 350 is unlocked and is assumed in a floating state. In thiscase, since the unlocking operation has not been completed yet, thefirst switch 711 is turned ON, but the second switch 712 remains OFF.FIG. 152 shows a state in which the first lock plate 702 has completedits movement in the direction of A, that is, the floating deck section350 has completely been released from its locked state. In this state,the first switch 711 remains ON, while the second switch 712 comes intoabutment against the retaining portion 7124 of the first lock plate 702and turns ON. That is, when the floating deck section 350 is assumed ina completely floating state (unlocked state), both the first and secondswitches 711, 712 turn ON, while in a locked state of the floating decksection 350 both the switches turn OFF. FIG. 153 is a structure diagramshowing a principal portion in this state and FIG. 154 is a right-handside view of FIG. 152.

FIG. 155 is a structure diagram showing a relation between the cam 701and the first lock plate 702, FIG. 156 illustrates an entire structurein more detail than FIG. 1, and FIG. 157 is a structure diagram showinga mechanism attached to the ceiling surface of the housing 50.

Next, a description will be given below about the operation of theentire disk device.

[7. Operation of the Entire Disk Device]

FIG. 158 illustrates operating states of principal structure in variousoperation modes of the entire disk device.

In FIG. 158, the left-hand column represents the names of mechanisms tobe operated, the top row represents sequence numbers corresponding totransition states of operation modes, the row immediately underlying thetop row indicates representative diagrams corresponding to operationmodes, and the names and numbers of principal portions represent diagramnumbers indicating states of principal portions correspondingly to thesequence of transition states in the operation modes.

Representative diagrams of the operation mechanisms are as follows:

-   -   {circle around (1)} The disk loading/unloading mechanism (the        first position delimiting portion) is FIG. 4.    -   {circle around (2)} The disk loading/unloading mechanism (the        second position delimiting portion and the link portion) is FIG.        15.    -   {circle around (3)} The disk loading/unloading mechanism (the        third position delimiting portion) is FIG. 33.    -   {circle around (4)} The roller base movement restricting        mechanism is FIG. 43.    -   {circle around (5)} The disk holding mechanism (whole) is        represented by FIGS. 47 and 48.    -   {circle around (6)} The disk holding mechanism (disk detecting        portion) is FIG. 75.    -   {circle around (7)} The disk holding mechanism (auxiliary        holding portion) is FIG. 87.    -   {circle around (8)} The disk reproducing mechanism (lock        mechanism) is FIG. 146.    -   {circle around (9)} The operation mode setting mechanism        (vertical movement) in the disk holding mechanism is FIG. 137.    -   {circle around (10)} The operation mode setting mechanism        (rotational movement) in the disk holding mechanism is FIG. 128.    -   {circle around (11)} The disk storing mechanism is FIG. 113.

Various operating states (position states) will be described below step(process) by step (process) with reference to FIG. 158.

First, in the disk insertion stand-by state in which for exampleretrieval of a disk stored in the disk storing mechanism is beingconducted (step 1), this state is as illustrated in FIG. 159 which is anentire structure diagram). In this state:

-   -   {circle around (1)} The first position delimiting portion        (hereinafter, refer to as the first position delimiting        portion), in the disk loading/unloading mechanism 100 is set to        the position (state) shown in FIG. 3.    -   {circle around (2)} The second position delimiting portion and        the ink portion (hereinafter, refer to as the second position        delimiting portion) in the disk loading/unloading mechanism 100        is set to the position (state) shown in FIG. 19.    -   {circle around (3)} The third position delimiting portion        (hereinafter, refer to as the third position delimiting portion)        in the disk loading/unloading mechanism 100 is set to the        position (state) shown in FIG. 32.    -   {circle around (4)} The roller base movement restricting        mechanism is set to the position (state) shown in FIG. 43.    -   {circle around (5)} The disk holding mechanism (whole) is set to        the position (state) shown in FIG. 55.    -   {circle around (6)} The disk holding mechanism (disk detecting        portion) is set to the position (state) shown in FIG. 73.    -   {circle around (7)} The disk holding mechanism (auxiliary        holding portion) is set to the position (state) shown in FIG.        87.    -   {circle around (8)} The disk reproducing mechanism (lock        mechanism) is set to the position (state) shown in FIG. 145.    -   {circle around (9)} The operation mode setting mechanism        (vertical movement) in the disk holding mechanism is set to the        position (state) shown in FIG. 136.    -   {circle around (10)} The operation mode setting mechanism        (rotational movement) in the disk holding mechanism is set to        the position (state) shown in FIG. 115.    -   {circle around (11)} The disk storing mechanism is set to the        position (state) shown in FIG. 129.

Next, the disk insertion stand-by state in which a disk can be conveyedupon insertion thereof (step 2) is as shown in FIG. 161 which is anentire structure diagram. In this state:

-   -   {circle around (1)} The first position delimiting portion        remains set to the position shown in FIG. 3 and does not        operate.    -   {circle around (2)} The second position delimiting portion        remains set to the position shown in FIG. 19 and does not        operate.    -   {circle around (3)} The third position delimiting portion        remains set to the position shown in FIG. 32 and does not        operate.    -   {circle around (4)} The roller base movement restricting        mechanism remains set to the position shown in FIG. 43 and does        not operate.    -   {circle around (5)} The disk holding mechanism (whole) remains        set to the position shown in FIG. 55 and does not operate.    -   {circle around (6)} The disk holding mechanism (disk detecting        portion) remains set to the position shown in FIG. 73 and does        not operate.    -   {circle around (7)} The disk holding mechanism (auxiliary        holding portion) remains set to the position shown in FIG. 87        and does not operate.    -   {circle around (8)} The disk reproducing mechanism (lock        mechanism) remains set to the position shown in FIG. 145 and        does not operate.    -   {circle around (9)} The operation mode setting mechanism        (vertical movement) in the disk holding mechanism remains set to        the position shown in FIG. 136 and does not operate.    -   {circle around (10)} The operation mode setting mechanism        (rotational movement) in the disk holding mechanism remains set        to the position shown in FIG. 115 and does not operate.    -   {circle around (11)} The disk storing mechanism moves from the        position shown in FIG. 129 and is set to the position shown in        FIG. 130.

Next, the state in which a disk is conveyed and both left and rightholding arms 121, 122 as holding arms are in operation (step 3) is asshown in FIG. 162 which is an entire structure diagram. In this state:

-   -   {circle around (1)} The first position delimiting portion moves        from the position shown in FIG. 3 and is set to the position        shown in FIG. 9.    -   {circle around (2)} The second position delimiting portion moves        from the position shown in FIG. 19 and is set to the position        shown in FIG. 20.    -   {circle around (3)} The third position delimiting portion moves        from the position shown in FIG. 32 and is set to the position        shown in FIGS. 35 and 37.    -   {circle around (4)} The roller base movement restricting        mechanism remains set to the position shown in FIG. 43 and does        not operate.    -   {circle around (5)} The disk holding mechanism (whole) remains        set to the position shown in FIG. 55 and does not operate.    -   {circle around (6)} The disk holding mechanism (disk detecting        portion) moves from the position shown in FIG. 73 and is set to        the position shown in FIGS. 75 and 77.    -   {circle around (7)} The disk holding mechanism remains set to        the position shown in FIG. 87 and does not operate.    -   {circle around (8)} The disk reproducing mechanism remains set        to the position shown in FIG. 145 and does not operate.    -   {circle around (9)} The operation mode setting mechanism        (vertical movement) in the disk holding mechanism remains set to        the position shown in FIG. 136 and does not operate.    -   {circle around (10)} The operation mode setting mechanism        (rotational movement) in the disk holding mechanism remains set        to the position shown in FIG. 115 and does not operate.    -   {circle around (11)} The disk storing mechanism remains set to        the position shown in FIG. 130 and does not operate.

Next, a completed state of disk conveyance (step 4) is as shown in FIG.163. In this state:

-   -   {circle around (1)} The first position delimiting portion        remains set to the position shown in FIG. 9 and does not        operate.    -   {circle around (2)} The second position delimiting portion moves        from the position shown in FIG. 20 and is set to the position        shown in FIG. 21.    -   {circle around (3)} The third position delimiting portion moves        from the position shown in FIG. 35 and is set to the position        shown in FIGS. 38 and 39.    -   {circle around (4)} The roller base movement restricting        mechanism remains set to the position shown in FIG. 43 and does        not operate.    -   {circle around (5)} The disk holding mechanism (whole) moves        from the position shown in FIG. 55 and is set to the position        shown in FIG. 57.    -   {circle around (6)} The disk holding mechanism (disk detecting        portion) moves from the position shown in FIGS. 75 and 77 and is        set to the position shown in FIG. 79.    -   {circle around (7)} The disk holding mechanism (auxiliary        holding portion) remains set to the position shown in FIG. 87        and does not operate.    -   {circle around (8)} The disk reproducing mechanism (lock        mechanism) remains set to the position shown in FIG. 145 and        does not operate.    -   {circle around (9)} The operation mode setting mechanism        (vertical movement) in the disk holding mechanism remains set to        the position shown in FIG. 136 and does not operate.    -   {circle around (10)} The operation mode setting mechanism        (rotational movement) in the disk holding mechanism remains set        to the position shown in FIG. 115 and does not operate.    -   {circle around (11)} The disk storing mechanism remains set to        the position shown in FIG. 130 and does not operate.

Next, a completed state of disk conveyance (step 5) is as shown in FIG.164 which is an entire structure diagram. In this state:

-   -   {circle around (1)} The first position delimiting portion        remains set to the position shown in FIG. 9 and does not        operate.    -   {circle around (2)} The second position delimiting portion        remains set to the position shown in FIG. 21 and does not        operate.    -   {circle around (3)} The third position delimiting portion        remains set to the position shown in FIGS. 38 and 39 and does        not operate.    -   {circle around (4)} The roller base movement restricting        mechanism remains set to the position shown in FIG. 43 and does        not operate.    -   {circle around (5)} The disk holding mechanism (whole) moves        from the position shown in FIG. 57 and is set to the position        shown in FIG. 58.    -   {circle around (6)} The disk holding mechanism (disk detecting        portion) remains set to the position shown in FIG. 79 and does        not operate.    -   {circle around (7)} The disk holding mechanism (auxiliary        holding portion) remains set to the position shown in FIG. 87        and does not operate.    -   {circle around (8)} The disk reproducing mechanism (lock        mechanism) remains set to the position shown in FIG. 145 and        does not operate.    -   {circle around (9)} The operation mode setting mechanism        (vertical movement) in the disk holding mechanism remains set to        the position shown in FIG. 136 and does not operate.    -   {circle around (10)} The operation mode setting mechanism        (rotational movement) in the disk holding mechanism remains set        to the position shown in FIG. 115 and does not operate.    -   {circle around (11)} The disk storing mechanism remains set to        the position shown in FIG. 130 and does not operate.

Next, the state before holding the disk in the normal position by thedisk holding mechanism (step 6) is as shown in FIG. 166 which is anentire structure diagram. In this state:

-   -   {circle around (1)} The first position delimiting portion        remains set to the position shown in FIG. 9 and does not        operate.    -   {circle around (2)} The second position delimiting portion        remains set to the position shown in FIG. 21 and does not        operate.    -   {circle around (3)} The third position delimiting portion        remains set to the position shown in FIGS. 38 and 39 and does        not operate.    -   {circle around (4)} The roller base movement restricting        mechanism moves from the position shown in FIG. 43 and is set to        the position shown in FIG. 45.    -   {circle around (5)} The disk holding mechanism (whole) moves        from the position shown in FIG. 58 and is set to the position        shown in FIG. 63.    -   {circle around (6)} The disk holding mechanism (disk detecting        portion) remains set to the position shown in FIG. 79 and does        not operate.    -   {circle around (7)} The disk holding mechanism (auxiliary        holding portion) moves from the position shown in FIG. 87 and is        set to the position shown in FIG. 89.    -   {circle around (8)} The disk reproducing mechanism (lock        mechanism) remains set to the position shown in FIG. 145 and        does not operate.    -   {circle around (9)} The operation mode setting mechanism        (vertical movement) in the disk holding mechanism remains set to        the position shown in FIG. 136 and does not operate.    -   {circle around (10)} The operation mode setting mechanism        (rotational movement) in the disk holding mechanism remains set        to the position shown in FIG. 115 and does not operate.    -   {circle around (11)} The disk storing mechanism remains set to        the position shown in FIG. 130 and does not operate.

Next, the state in which the disk holding mechanism has held the disk inthe normal position (step 7) is as shown in FIG. 167 which is an entirestructure diagram. In this state:

-   -   {circle around (1)} The first position delimiting portion        remains set to the position shown in FIG. 9 and does not        operate.    -   {circle around (2)} The second position delimiting portion        remains set to the position shown in FIG. 21 and does not        operate.    -   {circle around (3)} The third position delimiting portion        remains set to the position shown in FIGS. 38 and 39 and does        not operate.    -   {circle around (4)} The roller base movement restricting        mechanism moves from the position shown in FIG. 43 and is set to        the position shown in FIG. 45.    -   {circle around (5)} The disk holding mechanism (whole) moves        from the position shown in FIG. 63 and is set to the position        shown in FIGS. 59 and 61.    -   {circle around (6)} The disk holding mechanism (disk detecting        portion remains set to the position shown in FIG. 79 and does        not operate.    -   {circle around (7)} The disk holding mechanism (auxiliary        holding portion) moves from the position shown in FIG. 89 and is        set to the position shown in FIG. 91.    -   {circle around (8)} The disk reproducing mechanism (lock        mechanism) remains set to the position shown in FIG. 145 and        does not operate.    -   {circle around (9)} The operation mode setting mechanism        (vertical movement) in the disk holding mechanism remains set to        the position shown in FIG. 136 and does not operate.    -   {circle around (10)} The operation mode setting mechanism        (rotational movement) in the disk holding mechanism remains set        to the position shown in FIG. 115 and does not operate.    -   {circle around (11)} The disk storing mechanism remains set to        the position shown in FIG. 130 and does not operate.

Next, the state in which the disk loading/unloading mechanism hasretracted to the disk inlet side (step 8) is as shown in FIG. 168 whichis an entire structure diagram. In this state:

-   -   {circle around (1)} The first position delimiting portion moves        from the position shown in FIG. 9 and is set to the position        shown in FIG. 13.    -   {circle around (2)} The second position delimiting portion moves        from the position shown in FIG. 21 and is set to the position        shown in FIGS. 22, 23, 26, and 29.    -   {circle around (3)} The third position delimiting portion moves        from the position shown in FIGS. 38 and 39 and is set to the        position shown in FIGS. 40 and 41.    -   {circle around (4)} The roller base movement restricting        mechanism moves from the position shown in FIG. 45 and is set to        the position shown in FIG. 46.    -   {circle around (5)} The disk holding mechanism (whole) remains        set to the position shown in FIGS. 59 and 61 and does not        operate.    -   {circle around (6)} The disk holding mechanism (disk detecting        portion) remains set to the position shown in FIG. 79 and does        not operate.    -   {circle around (7)} The disk holding mechanism (auxiliary        holding portion) remains set to the position shown in FIG. 91        and does not operate.    -   {circle around (8)} The disk reproducing mechanism (lock        mechanism) remains set to the position shown in FIG. 145 and        does not operate.    -   {circle around (9)} The operation mode setting mechanism        (vertical movement) in the disk holding mechanism remains set to        the position shown in FIG. 136 and does not operate.    -   {circle around (10)} The operation mode setting mechanism        (rotational movement) in the disk holding mechanism remains set        to the position shown in FIG. 115 and does not operate.    -   {circle around (11)} The disk storing mechanism remains set to        the position shown in FIG. 130 and does not operate.

Next, the state in which the disk holding mechanism has risen (step 9)is as shown in FIG. 92. In this state:

-   -   {circle around (1)} The first position delimiting portion        remains set to the position shown in FIG. 13 and does not        operate.    -   {circle around (2)} The second position delimiting portion moves        from the position shown in FIGS. 22, 23, 26, and 29 and is set        to the position shown in FIG. 26.    -   {circle around (3)} The third position delimiting portion moves        from the position shown in FIGS. 40 and 41 and is set to the        position shown in FIG. 41.    -   {circle around (4)} The roller base movement restricting        mechanism remains set to the position shown in FIG. 46 and does        not operate.    -   {circle around (5)} The disk holding mechanism (whole) remains        set to the position shown in FIGS. 59 and 61 and does not        operate.    -   {circle around (6)} The disk holding mechanism (disk detecting        portion) remains set to the position shown in FIG. 79 and does        not operate.    -   {circle around (7)} The disk holding mechanism (auxiliary        holding portion) remains set to the position shown in FIG. 91        and does not operate.    -   {circle around (8)} The disk reproducing mechanism (lock        mechanism) remains set to the position shown in FIG. 145 and        does not operate.    -   {circle around (9)} The operation mode setting mechanism        (vertical movement) in the disk holding mechanism moves from the        position shown in FIG. 136 and is set to the position shown in        FIG. 140.    -   {circle around (10)} The operation mode setting mechanism        (rotational movement) in the disk holding mechanism remains set        to the position shown in FIG. 115 and does not operate.    -   {circle around (11)} The disk storing mechanism remains set to        the position shown in FIG. 130 and does not operate.

Next, a rotated state of the disk reproducing mechanism (step 10) is asshown in FIG. 93. In this state:

-   -   {circle around (1)} The first position delimiting portion        remains set to the position shown in FIG. 13 and does not        operate.    -   {circle around (2)} The second position delimiting portion        remains set to the position shown in FIG. 26 and does not        operate.    -   {circle around (3)} The third position delimiting portion        remains set to the position shown in FIG. 41 and does not        operate.    -   {circle around (4)} The roller base movement restricting        mechanism remains set to the position shown in FIG. 46 and does        not operate.    -   {circle around (5)} The disk holding mechanism (whole) remains        set to the position shown in FIGS. 59 and 61 and does not        operate.    -   {circle around (6)} The disk holding mechanism (disk detecting        portion) remains set to the position shown in FIG. 79 and does        not operate.    -   {circle around (7)} The disk holding mechanism (auxiliary        holding portion) remains set to the position shown in FIG. 91        and does not operate.    -   {circle around (8)} The disk reproducing mechanism (lock        mechanism) remains set to the position shown in FIG. 145 and        does not operate.    -   {circle around (9)} The operation mode setting mechanism        (vertical movement) in the disk holding mechanism moves from the        position shown in FIG. 140 and is set to the position shown in        FIG. 136.    -   {circle around (10)} The operation mode setting mechanism        (rotational movement) in the disk holding mechanism remains set        to the position shown in FIG. 115 and does not operate.    -   {circle around (11)} The disk storing mechanism remains set to        the position shown in FIG. 130 and does not operate.

Next, the state in which the disk reproducing mechanism has been movedlaterally of the disk device (step 11) is as shown in FIG. 94. In thisstate:

-   -   {circle around (1)} The first position delimiting portion        remains set to the position shown in FIG. 13 and does not        operate.    -   {circle around (2)} The second position delimiting portion        remains set to the position shown in FIG. 26 and does not        operate.    -   {circle around (3)} The third position delimiting portion        remains set to the position shown in FIG. 41 and does not        operate.    -   {circle around (4)} The roller base movement restricting        mechanism remains set to the position shown in FIG. 46 and does        not operate.    -   {circle around (5)} The disk holding mechanism (whole) remains        set to the position shown in FIGS. 59 and 61 and does not        operate.    -   {circle around (6)} The disk holding mechanism (disk detecting        portion) remains set to the position shown in FIG. 79 and does        not operate.    -   {circle around (7)} The disk holding mechanism (auxiliary        holding portion) remains set to the position shown in FIG. 91        and does not operate.    -   {circle around (8)} The disk reproducing mechanism (lock        mechanism) remains set to the position shown in FIG. 145 and        does not operate.    -   {circle around (9)} The operation mode setting mechanism        (vertical movement) in the disk holding mechanism remains set to        the position shown in FIG. 136 and does not operate.    -   {circle around (10)} The operation mode setting mechanism        (rotational movement) in the disk holding mechanism remains set        to the position shown in FIG. 115 and does not operate.    -   {circle around (11)} The disk storing mechanism remains set to        the position shown in FIG. 130 and does not operate.

Next, the state in which the disk holding mechanism has moved down tohold the disk at the disk reproducing position in order for the diskreproducing mechanism to start the reproducing operation (step 12), isas shown in FIG. 95. In this state:

-   -   {circle around (1)} The first position delimiting portion        remains set to the position shown in FIG. 13 and does not        operate.    -   {circle around (2)} The second position delimiting portion        remains set to the position shown in FIG. 26 and does not        operate.    -   {circle around (3)} The third position delimiting portion        remains set to the position shown in FIG. 41 and does not        operate.    -   {circle around (4)} The roller base movement restricting        mechanism remains set to the position shown in FIG. 46 and does        not operate.    -   {circle around (5)} The disk holding mechanism (whole) moves        from the position shown in FIGS. 59 and 61 and is set to the        position shown in FIG. 66.    -   {circle around (6)} The disk holding mechanism (disk detecting        portion) remains set to the position shown in FIG. 79 and does        not operate.    -   {circle around (7)} The disk holding mechanism (auxiliary        holding portion) remains set to the position shown in FIG. 91        and does not operate.    -   {circle around (8)} The disk reproducing mechanism (lock        mechanism) remains set to the position shown in FIG. 145 and        does not operate.    -   {circle around (9)} The operation mode setting mechanism        (vertical movement) in the disk holding mechanism remains set to        the position shown in FIG. 136 and does not operate.    -   {circle around (10)} The operation mode setting mechanism        (rotational movement) in the disk holding mechanism remains set        to the position shown in FIG. 115 and doe not operate.    -   {circle around (11)} The disk storing mechanism remains set to        the position shown in FIG. 130 and does not operate.

Next, the state in which the clamp portion in the disk reproducingmechanism moves to the disk reproducing position (step 13) is as shownin FIG. 96 which is an entire structure diagram. In this state:

-   -   {circle around (1)} The first position delimiting portion        remains set to the position shown in FIG. 13 and does not        operate.    -   {circle around (2)} The second position delimiting portion        remains set to the position shown in FIG. 26 and does not        operate.    -   {circle around (3)} The third position delimiting portion        remains set to the position shown in FIG. 41 and does not        operate.    -   {circle around (4)} The roller base movement restricting        mechanism remains set to the position shown in FIG. 46 and does        not operate.    -   {circle around (5)} The disk holding mechanism (whole) remains        set to the position shown in FIG. 66 and does not operate.    -   {circle around (6)} The disk holding mechanism remains set to        the position shown in FIG. 79 and does not operate.    -   {circle around (7)} The disk holding mechanism (auxiliary        holding portion) remains set to the position shown in FIG. 91        and does not operate.    -   {circle around (8)} The disk reproducing mechanism (lock        mechanism) remains set to the position shown in FIG. 145 and        does not operate.    -   {circle around (9)} The operation mode setting mechanism        (vertical movement) in the disk holding mechanism remains set to        the position shown in FIG. 136 and does not operate.    -   {circle around (10)} The operation mode setting mechanism        (rotational movement) in the disk holding mechanism remains set        to the position shown in FIG. 115 and does not operate.    -   {circle around (11)} The storing mechanism remains set to the        position shown in FIG. 130 and does not operate.

Next, the state in which the disk reproducing mechanism has moved to thedisk reproducing position and clamped the disk (step 14) is as shown inFIG. 97. In this state:

-   -   {circle around (1)} The first position delimiting portion        remains set to the position shown in FIG. 13 and does not        operate.    -   {circle around (2)} The second position delimiting portion        remains set to the position shown in FIG. 26 and does not        operate.    -   {circle around (3)} The third position delimiting portion        remains set to the position shown in FIG. 41 and does not        operate.    -   {circle around (4)} The roller base movement restricting        mechanism remains set to the position shown in FIG. 46 and does        not operate.    -   {circle around (5)} The disk holding mechanism (whole) remains        set to the position shown in FIG. 66 and does not operate.    -   {circle around (6)} The disk holding mechanism (disk detecting        portion) remains set to the position shown in FIG. 79 and does        not operate.    -   {circle around (7)} The disk holding mechanism (auxiliary        holding portion) remains set to the position shown in FIG. 91        and does not operate.    -   {circle around (8)} The disk reproducing mechanism (lock        mechanism) remains set to the position shown in FIG. 145 and        does not operate.    -   {circle around (9)} The operation mode setting mechanism        (vertical movement) in the disk holding mechanism remains set to        the position shown in FIG. 136 and does not operate.    -   {circle around (10)} The operation mode setting mechanism        (rotational movement) in the disk holding mechanism remains set        to the position shown in FIG. 115 and does not operate.    -   {circle around (11)} The disk storing mechanism remains set to        the position shown in FIG. 130 and does not operate.

Next, since the disk has been completely held by the disk reproducingmechanism, the state in which the disk holding mechanism has releasedthe disk (step 15) is as shown in FIG. 98. In this state:

-   -   {circle around (1)} The first position delimiting portion        remains set to the position shown in FIG. 13 and does not        change.    -   {circle around (2)} The second position delimiting portion        remains set to the position shown in FIG. 26 and does not        operate.    -   {circle around (3)} The third position delimiting portion        remains set to the position shown in FIG. 41 and does not        operate.    -   {circle around (4)} The roller base movement restricting        mechanism remains set to the position shown in FIG. 46 and does        not operate.    -   {circle around (5)} The disk holding mechanism (whole) moves        from the position shown in FIG. 66 and is set to the position        shown in FIG. 67.    -   {circle around (6)} The disk holding mechanism (disk detecting        portion) moves from the position shown in FIG. 79 and is set to        the position shown in FIG. 98.    -   {circle around (7)} The disk holding mechanism (auxiliary        holding portion) moves from the position shown in FIG. 91 and is        set to the position shown in FIG. 87.    -   {circle around (8)} The disk reproducing mechanism (lock        mechanism) remains set to the position shown in FIG. 145 and        does not operate.    -   {circle around (9)} The operation mode setting mechanism        (vertical movement) in the disk holding mechanism remains set to        the position shown in FIG. 136 and does not operate.    -   {circle around (10)} The operation mode setting mechanism        (rotational movement) in the disk holding mechanism remains set        to the position shown in FIG. 115 and does not operate.    -   {circle around (11)} The disk storing mechanism remains set to        the position shown in FIG. 130 and does not operate.

Next, the state in which the disk reproducing operation is over and thedisk reproducing mechanism is to be stowed (step 16), is as shown inFIG. 99. In this state:

-   -   {circle around (1)} The first position delimiting portion        remains set to the position shown in FIG. 13 and does not        operate.    -   {circle around (2)} The second position delimiting portion        remains set to the position shown in FIG. 26 and does not        operate.    -   {circle around (3)} The third position delimiting portion        remains set to the position shown in FIG. 41 and does not        operate.    -   {circle around (4)} The roller base movement restricting        mechanism remains set to the position shown in FIG. 46 and does        not operate.    -   {circle around (5)} The disk holding mechanism (whole) remains        set to the position shown in FIG. 67 and does not operate.    -   {circle around (6)} The disk holding mechanism (disk detecting        portion) moves from the position shown in FIG. 98 and is set to        the position shown in FIG. 99.    -   {circle around (7)} The disk holding mechanism (auxiliary        holding portion) remains set to the position shown in FIG. 87        and does not operate.    -   {circle around (8)} The disk reproducing mechanism (lock        mechanism) remains set to the position shown in FIG. 145 and        does not operate.    -   {circle around (9)} The operation mode setting mechanism        (vertical movement) in the disk holding mechanism remains set to        the position shown in FIG. 136 and does not operate.    -   {circle around (10)} The operation mode setting mechanism        (rotational movement) in the disk holding mechanism remains set        to the position shown in FIG. 115 and does not operate.    -   {circle around (11)} The disk storing mechanism remains set to        the position shown in FIG. 130 and does not operate.

Next, the state in which the disk reproducing mechanism is unlocked,i.e., in a floating state (step 17), is as shown in FIG. 100. In thisstate:

-   -   {circle around (1)} The first position delimiting portion        remains set to the position shown in FIG. 13 and does not        operate.    -   {circle around (2)} The second position delimiting portion        remains set to the position shown in FIG. 26 and does not        operate.    -   {circle around (3)} The third position delimiting portion        remains set to the position shown in FIG. 41 and does not        operate.    -   {circle around (4)} The roller base movement restricting        mechanism remains set to the position shown in FIG. 46 and does        not operate.    -   {circle around (5)} The disk holding mechanism (whole) remains        set to the position shown in FIG. 67 and does not operate.    -   {circle around (6)} The disk holding mechanism (disk detecting        portion) moves from the position shown in FIG. 99 and is set to        the position shown in FIG. 100.    -   {circle around (7)} The disk holding mechanism (auxiliary        holding portion) remains set to the position shown in FIG. 87        and does not operate.    -   {circle around (8)} The disk reproducing mechanism (lock        mechanism) moves from the position shown in FIG. 145 and is set        to the position shown in FIG. 152.    -   {circle around (9)} The operation mode setting mechanism        (vertical movement) in the disk holding mechanism remains set to        the position shown in FIG. 136 and does not operate.    -   {circle around (10)} The operation mode setting mechanism        (rotational movement) in the disk holding mechanism remains set        to the position shown in FIG. 115 and does not operate.    -   {circle around (11)} The disk storing mechanism remains set to        the position shown in FIG. 130 and does not operate.

Next, an operating state of the disk storing mechanism (step 18) is asshown in FIG. 169 which is an entire structure diagram. In this state:

-   -   {circle around (1)} The first position delimiting portion        remains set to the position shown in FIG. 13 and does not        operate.    -   {circle around (2)} The second position delimiting portion        remains set to the position shown in FIG. 26 and does not        operate.    -   {circle around (3)} The third position delimiting portion        remains set to the position shown in FIG. 41 and does not        operate.    -   {circle around (4)} The roller base movement restricting        mechanism remains set to the position shown in FIG. 46 and does        not operate.    -   {circle around (5)} The disk holding mechanism (whole) moves        from the position shown in FIG. 67 and is set to the position        shown in FIG. 66.    -   {circle around (6)} The disk holding mechanism (disk detecting        portion) moves from the position shown in FIG. 100 and is set to        the position shown in FIG. 169.    -   {circle around (7)} The disk holding mechanism (auxiliary        holding portion) moves from the position shown in FIG. 87 and is        set to the position shown in FIG. 91.    -   {circle around (8)} The disk reproducing mechanism (lock        mechanism) moves from the position shown in FIG. 152 and is set        to the position shown in FIG. 145.    -   {circle around (9)} The operation mode setting mechanism        (vertical movement) in the disk holding mechanism moves from the        position shown in FIG. 136 and is set to the position shown in        FIG. 141.    -   {circle around (10)} The operation mode setting mechanism        (rotational movement) in the disk holding mechanism moves from        the position shown in FIG. 115 and is set to the position shown        in FIG. 118.    -   {circle around (11)} The disk storing mechanism moves from the        position shown in FIG. 130 to the position shown in FIG. 131. In        the operation mode of this step 18, the disk storing mechanism        performs the movement operation as follows: it moves from the        position shown in FIG. 131 to the position shown in FIG. 132,        then moves to the position shown in FIG. 133, thereafter moves        and is set to the position shown in FIG. 134.

Next, a released state (step 19) from the disk holding state by the diskholding mechanism is as shown in FIG. 170 as an entire structurediagram. In this state:

-   -   {circle around (1)} The first position delimiting portion        remains set to the position shown in FIG. 13 and does not        operate.    -   {circle around (2)} The second position delimiting portion        remains set to the position shown in FIG. 26 and does not        operate.    -   {circle around (3)} The third position delimiting portion        remains set to the position shown in FIG. 41 and does not        operate.    -   {circle around (4)} The roller base movement restricting        mechanism remains set to the position shown in FIG. 46 and does        not operate.    -   {circle around (5)} The disk holding mechanism (whole) moves        from the position shown in FIG. 66 and is set to the position        shown in FIG. 67.    -   {circle around (6)} The disk holding mechanism (disk detecting        portion) moves from the position shown in FIG. 169 and is set to        the position shown in FIG. 170.    -   {circle around (7)} The disk holding mechanism (auxiliary        holding portion) moves from the position shown in FIG. 91 and is        set to the position shown in FIG. 89.    -   {circle around (8)} The disk reproducing mechanism (lock        mechanism) remains set to the position shown in FIG. 145 and        does not operate.    -   {circle around (9)} The operation mode setting mechanism        (vertical movement) in the disk holding mechanism moves from the        position shown in FIG. 141 and is set to the position shown in        FIG. 143.    -   {circle around (10)} The operation mode setting mechanism        (rotational movement) in the disk holding mechanism remains set        to the position shown in FIG. 118 and does not operate.    -   {circle around (11)} The disk storing mechanism moves from the        position shown in FIG. 134 and is set to the position shown in        FIG. 135.

Next, a state of exchange between a disk stored in the disk storingmechanism and another disk (step 20) is as shown in FIG. 171. In thisstate:

-   -   {circle around (1)} The first position delimiting portion        remains set to the position shown in FIG. 13 and does not        operate.    -   {circle around (2)} The second position delimiting portion        remains set to the position shown in FIG. 26 and does not        operate.    -   {circle around (3)} The third position delimiting portion        remains set to the position shown in FIG. 41 and does not        operate.    -   {circle around (4)} The roller base movement restricting        mechanism remains set to the position shown in FIG. 46 and does        not operate.    -   {circle around (5)} The disk holding mechanism (whole) moves        from the position shown in FIG. 67 and is set to the position        shown in FIG. 63.    -   {circle around (6)} The disk holding mechanism (disk detecting        portion) moves from the position shown in FIG. 170 and is set to        the position shown in FIG. 171.    -   {circle around (7)} The disk holding mechanism (auxiliary        holding portion) moves from the position shown in FIG. 89 and is        set to the position shown in FIG. 87.    -   {circle around (8)} The disk reproducing mechanism (lock        mechanism) remains set to the position shown in FIG. 145 and        does not operate.    -   {circle around (9)} The operation mode setting mechanism        (vertical movement) in the disk holding mechanism remains set to        the position shown in FIG. 143 and does not operate.    -   {circle around (10)} The operation mode setting mechanism        (rotational movement) in the disk holding mechanism moves from        the position shown in FIG. 118 and is set to the position shown        in FIGS. 121, 122, and 125.    -   {circle around (11)} The disk storing mechanism remains set to        the position shown in FIG. 135 and does not operate.

Now, a series of operations of the disk device is completed.

As described above, since the disk device is structured so as to store adisk by the use of an inside diameter of the disk, an abutting operationof the disk against a recording surface can be omitted at the time ofstoring the disk, whereby any damage to the disk, especially itsrecording surface, can be suppressed and the reliability of the diskunit is improved.

With the above structure, the disk device can handle any type of disk(e.g., 12 cm CD and 8 cm CD) irrespective of disk diameter and thereforethe disk device becomes more convenient.

Moreover, since the disk device is structured so that the axis in thedisk storing position and the axis in the disk reproducing positioncoincide with each other, there occurs no axis deviation, that is, it isnot necessary to perform an operation for axis alignment in disk changefor example, whereby it is possible to shorten the working time.

Further, since the disk reproducing mechanism is structured as a rotarytype mechanism, it is possible to handle any type of disk irrespectivelyof disk diameter, thus making the disk device more convenient.

Further, since plate springs are attached to spacers in the disk storingmechanism, wobbling can be suppressed with the pressing force of theplate springs even if there are variations in disk thickness, wherebythe reliability of the disk device is improved.

Besides, since plate springs are attached to spacers in the disk storingmechanism, wobbling can be suppressed with the pressing force of theplate springs even at a spacer portion where a disk is not stored, withconsequent improvement in reliability of the disk device.

Further, by providing a retaining portion for engagement with a portionother than the rotary shaft of the disk reproducing mechanism, a diskcan be supported at two points of the rotary shaft and the retainingportion when it is to be reproduced, so that it is possible to improvethe performance of a vibration isolating mechanism provided in the diskreproducing mechanism and stabilize the disk reproducing operation.Consequently, the reliability of the disk device is improved.

Further, the disk loading/unloading mechanism is structured movably inthe disk loading/unloading directions, so in a stand-by state for diskloading the disk loading/unloading mechanism can be moved up to near apredetermined disk setting position, thus permitting a disk of a smalldiameter to be loaded stably into the disk device, whereby thereliability of the disk device is improved.

Further, since disks can be inserted and discharged each independentlyone by one, the disk device becomes more convenient for an operator.

Further, since the disk device is structured so that a plurality ofswitches can be operated with existing components, it is possible to seta plurality of operation modes without increase in the number ofcomponents and thus the disk device can be obtained as a less expensivedisk device of multiple functions.

Second Embodiment

A description will now be given of a disk device according to a secondembodiment of the present invention. Although in the above firstembodiment reference has been made to a set position moving state ofeach component (principal portion) in each operation mode, a structuremay be made such that the operations of components set in the same modeare synchronized, or interlocked. With this structure, since thecomponents are synchronized, it is possible to effect a moving motionrapidly, whereby not only the reliability of the disk device isimproved, but also the working time can be shortened.

Third Embodiment

A description will now be given of a disk device according to a thirdembodiment of the present invention. In the above first embodiment, whena moving motion is performed with progress of an operation mode,switching from one operation mode to another is performed in a gradualmanner; however, the switching may be done at a time. Even in this casethere can be obtained the same effect as in the first embodiment.

Fourth Embodiment

A disk device according to a fourth embodiment of the present

invention will now be described. Although in the first embodiment a diskgripping structure in the disk loading/unloading mechanism 100 includesthe roller portion 101 adapted to rotate and the pressing portion 102not having any rotating member, the pressing portion may be replacedwith a roller member. With this structure, it is possible to prevent anydamage to the disk surface.

Fifth Embodiment

A disk device according to a fifth embodiment of the present inventionwill now be described. In the above first embodiment, when a disk isinserted into the disk device, the disk loading/unloading mechanism 100conveys the disk, the disk holding mechanism 200 holds the disk, and thedisk reproducing mechanism 300 reproduces the disk. Thus, when a disk ismerely inserted into the disk device, the disk is subjected toreproduction as it is. According to this structure, the user'sconvenience is improved.

Sixth Embodiment

A disk device according to a sixth embodiment of the present inventionwill now be described. Although in the above first embodiment a platespring is attached to each spacer portion, a compression spring may beused in place of the plate spring. Even in this case there is obtainedthe same effect as in the first embodiment.

Seventh Embodiment

A disk device according to a seventh embodiment of the present inventionwill now be described. In the above first embodiment there may beadopted a structure wherein a holding means superior in a space savingcharacteristic to the plate spring which holds the inside diameter ofthe disk may be provided in the spacer fit portion. With this structure,the disk can be supported firmly and shaking of the disk caused by anexternal force or the like can be diminished, so that it is possible toomit the plate spring and attain the reduction in size of the diskdevice.

Eighth Embodiment

A disk device according to an eighth embodiment of the present inventionwill now be described. In the structure of the first embodiment, groovesformed in each of the first and third guide members, in which theprojections formed on each spacer are fitted, may be formed in aplurality of number larger than two, whereby wobbling of the spacer canbe prevented and the reliability of the disk device can be furtherimproved.

<Definitions of Main Components in the Embodiments>

The following are definitions of main different terms used in the samemechanisms or structure in the embodiments correspondingly to terms usedin the appended claims.

The disk roller corresponds to the roller portion 112, the disk rollermechanism corresponds to the disk roller mechanism 110, the first diskmovement restricting means corresponds to the upper position delimitingportion 115, the second disk movement restricting means corresponds tothe lower position delimiting means 116, the disk guide/holding meanscorresponds to the left arm 121 and the right arm 122 as arm portions,the first disk holding means corresponds to the holding portion 211, thesecond disk holding means corresponds to the holding arm 290, thesupport means for supporting the first disk holding means corresponds tothe left arm 221 and the right arm 222 which support the holding portion211, the disk reproducing means corresponds to the reproducing section310, the disk clamp section corresponds to the clamp section 320, theloose fit means corresponds to the mandrel mechanism 4000, the aplurality of support means adapted to move in the rotational movementaxis of a disk corresponds to the support means 5400, the operationsetting means corresponds to the groove 242, and the operation modesetting means corresponds to the switching plate 245.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As set forth above, the disk device according to the present inventionis suitable for use as a vehicular disk device capable of being reducedin size and structured such that plurality of disks are stored withoutusing a removable magazine and can be inserted, discharged, andreproduced each independently and selectively.

1. A disk device capable of storing a plurality of disks thereincomprising: a disk storing mechanism to store said plurality of disksloosely fitted and supported at its inner diameter; a disk holding meanscapable of changing its vertical position to hold outer peripheralportion of the disk located on the axis of said disk storing mechanism;an operation setting means to actuate said disk holding means accordingto an operation mode of the disk; and an operation mode switching meansto switch the operation mode of said operation setting means based oncontents of disk operation.
 2. A disk device according to claim 1,wherein said operation setting means makes said disk holding meanskeeping in a normal height to hold the disk and performs an operationstowing the disk holding means in a first operation mode, and makes saiddisk holding means keeping in a higher height said normal height to holdthe disk and performs an operation stowing the disk holding means in asecond operation mode.
 3. A disk device according to claim 2, whereinsaid operation mode switching means switches the operation mode set bysaid operation setting means from said first operation mode to saidsecond operation mode when said operation setting means continues to setthe first operation mode and said disk storing mechanism performs astowing operation for a disk or performs a changing operation of astowed disk.